Mr. Joe Wiesenfeld

Dear Jude, Will and John,
I just learned of Joe's passing today. I loved working with him on several projects. He was always kind and gentle and smart and ever so talented. It's very sad to learn he left us at such a young age, with so much more brilliant creativity to share. My deep and heartfelt condolences to you folks.

Jude, John and Will,so sorry for your loss. I met you both years ago in Toronto and subsequently visited when I was in L. A. Joe was a kind, gentle friend who had clarity and wisdom to share. He will be greatly missed but always remembered.

Joey and I knew each other in Winnipeg and Vancouver. I am saddened by his passing. Lots of memories on this page. We must hold onto these. My condolences to the family.

Dear Jude

Belated condolences.

Nadia and I were very saddened to hear about Joe's passing.

We learned about it earlier today - totally by accident.

Decades have separated us - but the heart creates a strong bond that transcends time.

Professionally - I was Joe's first agent in the US. I started representing him before you moved to Los Angeles and was proud to have launched his career in Hollywood.

Personally, Nadia and I considered ourselves lucky to have you and Joe as friends all those years ago.

It's sad that life can cause us to drift apart from friends and family.

I know that Joe will be fondly remembered and that his spirit will remain a beacon of goodness for you, John and Will and all of us who knew him.

With sympathy and love.

Dan & Nadia

To the Wiesenfeld family so sorry to hear about your great loss
I had a brief but funfilled friendship with Joey in Winnipeg approximately late 60s going to movies like Othello enjoying Dylan records he was writing for the Winnipeg Tribune making his bones as it were and wrote an Expose about the traveling Royal American Shows which he had joined and traveled with for some months under cover as a labourer
It catapulted him into the profession but unfortunately he had to leave town when the fair was in town
I was so happy for him to reach success in writing his chosen occupation
He was so cool dressed in Bob Dylan cowboy boots pea jacket and knitted cap
I've been looking for him for the past year and just tonight tried 411 and then saw the obituary I am so sorry that I didn't find him sooner
RIP Joey
Morley Minuk Calgary Alberta Canada 4034780358

I learned of Joes passing on the internet. I passed this information on to all his many poker buddies and they and I were sad to hear of this. Many condolences to his family.

Dear Jude, John and Will - I am so sorry for your loss. There is definitely a hole in all our lives with the loss of Joe. I have so many great and vivid memories of Uncle Joe in Winnipeg, Vancouver, Toronto and Los Angeles. Although we lived in different places all our lives, I marked many milestones of life with Uncle Joe. I remember him leaving Winnipeg for the West Coast. A tearful goodbye in Baba's backyard - in awe of an adventurer leaving the Peg. Spending a good part of the summer with Uncle Joe in Vancouver when I was 15. He was my mentor and my hero, gracious and encouraging at a time I was finding myself. Visiting you and Joe in Toronto when John was just a newborn. Joe was my best man at my wedding to my lovely wife Gina. Visiting you in LA, Woodland Hills when John and Will were pre-teens. Visiting you in LA when Oscar was a baby. John being a great cousin playing lego and Jude painting an incredible water colour memorializing that time. It is with a very heavy heart that I write this message. I will forever miss my Uncle Joe. Love, Aaron

Dear Judy and family. Much sadness to read of Joe's passing. We fondly recall particularly that time spent on the road in New York in a cab drafting a fire truck in peloton formation and Joe saying, "I've never arrived this early at a restaurant in New York." Our heartfelt condolences to your family. Much love. Katie & Gunars

My sincere condolences to Joes family and friends. Joe was simply unforgettable. I was in his high school graduating class where we schemed to go cherry picking in the spring but instead Joe went to work for the carnival and turned the experience into an early journalistic triumph at the Winnipeg Free Press. Thats where he was working when I last saw him. Love you always Joey. - Larry Ladell, Ottawa

Joe raised me from the age of seven. 'Hilary's Birthday' (mentioned below) is based on that early relationship. It ran on Sundays, on a modified set of the Miracle Worker ... in which I played Helen Keller the rest of the week. His creative influence and legacy of care and continues to guide my life - even if from a distance. He will always be loved and missed.

Dear Judy, my deepest condolences to you and the family.

We were so sorry to hear of Joe's passing. We'll always remember the good times we had together. Our hearts go out to you Jude, John and Will.

Joe was always a very good friend we both shared our children with his family and his humor with ours he will be terribly missed by everyone who knew him

To the beloved Wiesenfeld family...
I was so saddened to hear of Joes passing. We were so lucky to have good neighbors like you in the old Woodland Hills neighborhood. Joe and your family are always in our hearts as a happy part of our growing up years. The Christmas parties, the babysitting, the celebrations, the garage sales, the waves across the street and impromptu driveway conversations... so friendly and hospitable. Such fond memories of all of you, individually and together. Its hard to imagine the Wiesenfelds without Joe. He will be missed, and all of you will always hold a special place in my heart.

To Jude, John, and Will:
Joe was an absolute delight and I feel lucky to have had some good conversations with him. I remember a time when he left me a very sweet note at John & Wills apartment when he handed off cat sitting duties!
Sending much love to you all ❤

Sincerest words of sympathy to the Wiesenfelds.

Joey was a long time friend whose life has touched many people. We were fortunate to see each other over the years in Winnipeg, Toronto and then again in LA. You will be missed.

My sincerest condolences to Joe's family and friends. We were classmates in high school at St. Johns. Even then, he impressed me with his intellect and individuality. Even though we had no contact over the intervening years, I was always happy to hear of his successes in the theater and films. Rest in Peace, Joey.

Our deepest condolences. I always admired Joe for his talents and the love the two shared for each other. Blessings, love and prayers to you and your family now and always, and especially during these trying times. Love, Peter and Cynthia Lieberman ❣

Joe was one of the brightest and best. Condolences to his family...

Sad to hear about the passing of an old classmate of mine from St. Johns High . Joey was always kind and also very bright .

I was really sad to hear of Joe's passing. I hadn't seen him in years, but I have very fond memories of from when we were neighbors and I babysat his sons. When I first found out that he had written the screenplay for a miniseries that I loved, I was very impressed, as I aspired to be a writer myself. He always seemed like a great dad to Will and John, with a stern but loving approach. And Joe had a Betamax! He used it and loved it when no one else did. Joe helped make Styles Street a great place to live in the 90s. He was always very kind to me and my family. I hope Jude, John, Will, and his extended family find peace in knowing that his time on earth positively influenced many people.

Sending my condolences and heart to you Jude. It has always been special seeing you with Joe at shows, supporting your son's career. He is gone too soon. Stay strong through this difficult time.

So sad to hear about Joe's passing . He was our neighbor in Winnipeg . Condolences to the family.

You will always continue to light our lives.
Frank and Tinker McGuire

I remember Joe (Joey back then) from the U. of Manitoba in the late 1960s, then ran into him a bit later in Toronto where I believe he lived in the early 70s. I remember back then, 50 or more years ago, his drive to be a writer, always scribbling into an ever present notebook. I never saw him after that and only ran across the occasional passing reference to him living in California. Until I learned just now of his passing and read the obituary I had no idea of how successful he was in fulfilling his teenage ambition to be a writer. Before I read the obituary, I closed my eyes and pictured how I remembered him and his wry and gleeful smile came to mind. When i clicked on the link, lo and behold I saw the exact same smile in the picture above the obituary. My condolences to his wife and sons. May his memory be a blessing to them.

I met Joe in 1978 when I directed the Toronto premiere of his play SPRATT. He was older than I was and had already had a range of experience that to my young ears seemed incredibly vast and worldly. He was funny, talented, ambitious and insightful. My condolences to his loved ones.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

There is so much sadness with the passing of Joe. Such a kind and generous man! Joe was enthusiastic in all aspects of his life, family vacations, simple dinners, good movies and hiking in mother nature. Joe so loved Jude, John and Will and they were his true passion. The sadness and grieve may diminish as time passes, but Joe will never be gone, as he is with you and in you always, along with all the beautiful memories.
Love Lynnie

Jude I am so sad to hear about Joe my heartfelt condolences to you and the boys

Jude, to you and John and Will, I send my heart and thoughts.
Love always.
Judi R.

Joe was a wonderful writer and human being. We first met during a writers workshop led by Urjo Kareda who was producing Joe's first play at the Tarragon. As we got to know each other, I treasured Joe's advice and support and it helped me enormously with my own writing career. Soon after that workshop, in the late 70's I commissioned him to write a play for my theatre company, Green Thumb. He came up with a play, Hilary's Birthday, a witty thoughtful heartfelt piece about divorce told from the point of view of a 9 year old girl. This small masterwork broke new ground in the genre of children's theatre and led to our company shifting its artistic direction. Joe was a master and I'm forever grateful to him.

Joe was a dear friend as we launched our professional creative lives years ago and grew into our careers. He was a gifted writer, compassionate person and wonderful friend full of wit, kindness, creativity, wisdom and laughter. I'm sad to hear of his passing. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Jude, I am so sorry to here this. I have great memories in Toronto with you both. Especially when you first started dating....how excited you as well as Dan and I were for you, knowing you found the love of your life! Time will heal and I wish you comfort in all the wonderful memories together.
Love,
Sherrill

Goodbyes are not forever, are not the end, it simply means "I'll Miss you" until we meet again!! Rest well my friend!!

Joe was welcoming and genuinely interested in learning about us friends of John and Will. His dry sense of humor and conversational nature was always something I looked forward to. He did an amazing job of raising two sons who have grown into intelligent and compassionate people. He will truly be missed.

My deepest sympathies to Jude, John, Will, and others who share this loss.

Jude, We are devastated that Joe has passed. Gus and I send you, John and Will much love.

Joe and I were friends in Vancouver in the late 70s. Two ex-pat Winnipeggers, wed hang out in Szaszs Deli on South Granville, eating those amazing cheese omelettes and talking theatre. He was knowledgeable, articulate, and downright fierce in his commitment to good writing. We hung out a while in Toronto too, then drifted apart. Tonight Im stunned to read the news of his passing. My condolences to all his dear ones, and may his memory be a blessing. With my love.

So sorry to hear this. Joe was an early mentor of mine and a fine writer. Gone too soon.

There arent many people who will sit down and talk to you about classic movies, Panama hats, and nice boots for as long as you want. You will he missed.

So sorry to hear this sad news, he was much too young to go. I have wonderful memories of our times working together, condolences to Rose and his family.

Bless you. You will be missed.

Thinking of you, Rose.

Dear Jude, John and Will:
I am so sorry to read about Joe. Such a kind and talented man. My deepest condolences and prayers to you.
Sincerely,
Howard Given

Ps I clearly remember meeting Joe and Johnny in Serania park. The kids were running up and down the dirt hill while Joe and I instantly hit it off. I miss those days.

Sincerest condolences to the Weisenfelds.

I was one of Johns good friends at Sierra Canyon Elementary, and I have many fond memories of visiting their home. Joe was always prepared with some obsolete piece of camera equipment for us to dissect, and always had praise for the campy, plot-less home movies we made.

Rest In Peace, Mr. Weisenfeld.

Joe was such a loving man, caring father and husband, good friend, uncle-like neighbor, and very talented creative. This loss breaks my heart. I have so many fond memories of Joe, scrabble games on Christmas, bbq's on Styles Street, or how we all banded together and survived the trauma of the Northridge earthquake. We became family in those years on Styles Street, a truly unbreakable bond that has lasted 30 years. There were so many parallels between the Wisenfeld and McGuire families, the biggest similarity was the love that we shared for our family and close friends. The last time I saw Joe was at the El Rey for a Baths show. It had been a few years since we caught up but it we didnt miss a beat. He was very proud and happy for the man that I have become, it was a great milestone in my life to be reminded about how much I've changed over the years for the better and how my hard work had been paying off even I hadn't completely realized it. I was happy to hear that Palm Springs was their new home and looking forward to visiting sometime in the future. I texted Joe before his surgery last month and wished him well, he was grateful for the message of love. You will be sorely missed by your family and friends. Godspeed Joe, may your soul rest well in the Cosmos. We will see you on the other side.

With tears and love,
Kevin McGuire

Joe was a kind man who raised two exemplary men whom I am privileged to know. May he rest well as his memory and legacy lives on in his family.

I have never met Joe, or knew him as a person but the legacy he has helped leave through his children is a testament to his work as a parent and person. I can see that he is loved by his family, and my heart goes out to everyone who was close to Joe. ❤❤