Traverse City – Joseph "Joe" J. Thibedeau passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 27, 2019 in the loving care of his family.

Born July 22, 1929 to the late Joseph E. and Minnie (Green) Thibedeau in Newberry, Michigan, he was a kind and gentle person who loved everybody and put his heart and soul into everything he did or said. He liked to be active and was full of fun with a great sense of humor. He thoroughly enjoyed the four children from his marriage to his high school sweetheart, Doris Jean Oosting in 1949 at Alma, Michigan, followed by eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren all who were equally loved and shared his time and energy.

After graduating from Alma College in 1951 he went on to his career of teaching high school math and coaching football, basketball, and baseball in Vicksburg, Michigan for two years, Alma high school and Traverse City Central high school for a total of over forty years, retiring in 1993. Always a dedicated teacher and loyal coach, his students were his pride and joy. During his career he humbly received many honors and awards always with the feeling it was too much for him.

Other than academics, he was an avid trout fisherman with an annual trip or two to the U.P. with friends and family. He did not miss opening of baseball season, World Series, spring basketball tournaments, Super Bowl, Oleson's Island, Camp Greilick and all activities while being active with Scenic Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America. Gardening was a passion along with trips to California by tent, pop-up camper, travel trailer and motels combined with a good game of cribbage whenever possible.

Surviving are his wife, Doris, of sixty-nine years; sons Joseph A. (Jane) Thibedeau, Martinez, California, and Donald R. Thibedeau, San Diego, California; daughters Marjorie A. (Mark) Gatzke, Traverse City, and Linda M. (Ken) Schopieray, Interlochen, sister Peg (Robert) Potoczak, Newberry, Michigan; grandchildren Trisha, Cheney, Heidi, Joseph R., Jenna, Wendy, Julie and Andrew; great-grandchildren Tyler, Lane, Anthony, Christopher, Sylvanus, Scarlet, Emby, Kaylee and Joseph J.

Preceded in death by his sisters Eunice (Larry) Korcal, Nancy (David) Quick, and brother Robert Thibedeau.

Visitation will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 30, followed by a Memorial Service at 12:00 noon, Central United Methodist Church.

The family asks that memorial contributions be directed to; Boy Scouts Of America, Scenic Trails District; 1499 Business Park Drive, Traverse City, MI 49686, Hospice of Michigan, 10850 E Traverse Hwy #1155, Traverse City, MI 49684, or the charity of your choice.