Joseph Ernest Fran ois Garneau Jr.

Joe (Joey) Garneau, of Thornton, CO, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family after a short battle with vascular dementia at Sunrise Senior Living facility. He was 71.

He was the eldest son of Marian and Joseph Garneau, born May 3, 1954, on a US Airforce base in Sculthorpe RAF, Norfolk, England. He was raised to be a devout Catholic and was even an alter boy during Sunday Mass in his younger years. He also became an Eagle Scout as a young man; a proud journey his parents encouraged him to finish. After graduating high school, he met the love of his life at youth basketball draft at Northglenn Parks & Recreation, Robin L. Bradley in 1974. They eventually married on March 26, 1977.

After traveling the world with his family, moving from military base to military base, his parents settled in Northglenn, CO. He attended Huron Junior High and Northglenn High School class of 1972 and later received his Associate’s Degree in Accounting/Business Management from Front Range Community College. He took it upon himself to embody the Northglenn High School mascot in 1971-72, creating his very own costume with the help of his mom’s sewing expertise. This being the original Northglenn High Norseman. He worked in many jobs throughout his lifetime, but accounting, statistics and coaching were his passions. He touched so many people in the community as well. In his spare time, he coached youth basketball, football, baseball, & soccer. He loved coaching his kid’s soccer and baseball teams and even found time to coach his grandsons’ baseball teams. He even umpired for a short time in Westminster, CO. He did football statistics for both Northglenn and Horizon High Schools in Adams 12 school district for over 40 years.

He lived for his family in the Denver Metro area. Whether it was a game he was coaching, watching with his binoculars, or cheering on the players; he really made time for what was important. He loved his children and grandchildren. He was very involved, marching band trips and competitions, dance recitals, volleyball/ basketball/ baseball/ softball/ soccer/ football games, spelling bees and theatrical performances. He was a family man through and through. He really loved to cook and often said “he would make someone a great wife someday”. He loved to make things with his hands from spare bedrooms or bathrooms, to band carts, to cradles. He would design and build everything himself. Most of all loved to make people smile & laugh with his kindness, quick wit, humor and charm. He was a gentle man with a gentle heart for anyone, especially kids. He also really loved watching his Colorado sports team play.

Joe is survived by his beloved children, daughters Becca Garneau and Brenda Wiegert of Thornton, CO, and son Bobby (Kasha) Garneau of Aurora, CO, two grandsons, Logan and Hayden Wiegert of Ft. Lupton, CO, and multiple grands dogs & grand cat. He also has survived by sisters Michele (Bill) Garneau of Thornton, CO, Monique Garneau (Moss Point, MS) and brothers Paul (Mia) Garneau of Westminster, CO, Ed (Denise) Garneau of Fredrick, CO, and David (Vicki) Garneau of San Antonio, TX, as well as in-laws Celia Bradley of Superior, CO, Kathy Bradley of Broomfield, CO, Scott (Dea) Bradley of Boulder, CO. Survived also by many loved nieces and nephews, and the Garneau cousins both locally and across the USA.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Robin, parents and in-laws, Marian & Joseph Garneau and Eunice & Bob Bradley, sister Marie Genz, brother in-law William Bradley, and niece Crystal Garneau Merritt.

A visitation will be held October 17, 2025, from 1-2pm at Horan & McConaty in Thornton, CO (9998 Grant Street, Thornton, CO 80229)

Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 3, 2025, at 10:00am in Aurora, CO Horan & McConaty Cremation Gardens (11150 E Dartmouth Ave, Aurora, CO 80014)

Celebration of Life Reception will be also held on Monday, November 3rd, 2025, following the services from 4pm-8pm at Thornton Arts & Culture Center (9209 Dorothy Blvd. Thornton, CO 80229)

Joe would prefer to be in CO sports attire so please support your home team during this time of celebration.

Flowers can be sent to the Horan & McConaty Cremation Gardens in Aurora, CO for the services. Cards can be mailed to Robert Garneau at 17516 E Caspian Place Aurora, CO 80013.

Thank you for loving our Father, Papa, Brother, Uncle, Friend, and Coach.

Click here for Joe's Service Livestream - 11/03/25 10AM