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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
FOURNIER, Joel Walter - Age 85, of Halifax, died peacefully on Sept. 8, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by wife, Sheila (née Parent); daughter, Renée; son, Chris; grandchildren, Tess, Nicolas, Adam and James; and sisters, Carol and Joan. Born Sept. 23, 1938 in Midland, Ontario to Mary Louise and Walter Fournier, second-youngest of 15 children. At 17, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy and was stationed at Shearwater, serving aboard HMCS Magnificent and HMCS Bonaventure. Despite having no football experience, he joined the Shearwater Flyers in 1958. His first few seasons were unspectacular, but in 1964, the running back rewrote record books, notching a record nine touchdowns in one game against Acadia and winning the Atlantic Football Conference scoring title that season with 114 points. In 1965, he returned to Midland to marry Sheila, the love of his life. The ceremony at the Martyrs’ Shrine was the first wedding ever held there, a nod to the Fournier family’s long association with the Shrine. Seeking a new challenge, Joel left the navy in 1970 and was accepted at Dalhousie University as a mature student. He had planned to become a high school gym teacher but a history professor encouraged him to reach higher, which he did, graduating from Dal Law in 1976. He joined Macinnes, Wilson & Hallett, establishing that firm’s Dartmouth office. The family moved to Yellowknife in 1980, where Joel became Chief of the GNWT’S Legal Division. A few years later, he joined Cooper Johnson as a partner, and worked as legal advisor to the NWT Legislative Assembly, later serving a five-year term as GNWT Conflict of Interest Commissioner. But Joel and Sheila were never free from the lure of their beloved East Coast, and in 1988, they returned to Halifax. For several years they published the Trident, the newspaper of Maritime Forces Atlantic. Joel later joined the agency Wine Visions to pursue his twin passions — wine and travel — with Sheila, his travel companion of 59 years. Reserved and dignified, with a wry sense of humour and impeccable timing, Joel was a discerning man who loved good food and wine, music and literature, and spending time at the family’s ‘fish shack’ at Indian Harbour. A wonderful husband and father and a true, steadfast friend, he will be greatly missed. At his request, no funeral or reception. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Canadian Cancer Society.
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