"Remember me in the paths of the woods and in the sandy beaches and in the local coffee shops of the world and I will meet you there as I join the ancestors, the cloud of witnesses." -Joel Calabrese
Joel Calabrese - 50, died Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in We’kwampetkik, Mi’kma’ki, the unceded and traditional Land of the Mi’kmaq. This Land is now more often known as Truro, Nova Scotia. Joel lived in acknowledgement that we are all treaty people through the Peace and Friendship Treaties of 1725 forward.
Joel, an Acadian, was born in the unceded and unsurrendered traditional Land of the Wolastoqey, Mi’kmaq, and Peskotomuhkati now known as Fredericton, New Brunswick. Joel is survived by his wife of 26 years, three children, younger brother and sister-in-law, parents, mother-in-law, wife’s sister, and extended family.
Joel was under the excellent care of the Palliative Care Unit at Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro. Thanks goes out to the staff, Palliative Care Doctors, Nurses, Physical Therapy, Housekeeping, Food Service, and Hospice volunteers who looked after, encouraged, laughed, supported, comforted, and brought vitality to Joel in his last six months of life. Thank you to the Colchester and Cumberland County VON for your positive presence while assisting Joel. Thank you to the team at the Truro PharmaChoice for all of your care and assistance too.
Thank you to Thrown Together Pottery for crafting a piece of art with consideration, love and friendship for Joel's new vessel.
The family would also like to thank all of the strangers, friends old and new, and family local and around the world who supported Joel through the two years of his cancer journey.
Some quotes Joel wants to share:
"Never be cruel. Never be cowardly. Hate is always foolish. Love is always wise. Always try to be nice, but never fail to be kind." The Twelfth Doctor, Twice Upon a Time
"In 900 years of time and space, I’ve never met anyone who wasn’t important" The Eleventh Doctor, A Christmas Carol
"Then the peace and harmony of the Great Spirit, which goes far beyond our small and weak ways of thinking, will watch over your hearts and minds through the Chosen One, Creator Sets Free (Jesus).
Last of all, my sacred family members, if anything can be seen as good and honourable, think deeply about these things. Things that are true and noble, upright and pure, full of beauty and worthy of respect." Philippians 4:7-8
A Celebration of Life for Joel will be held on 2 p.m., Saturday, September 19, 2026, at St. Andrews United Church, 55 King Street, Truro. Reception will follow. Please wear bright clothes.
Money to help his wife and children have summer respite can be sent through etransfer to: [email protected]
If you are inclined to give to an organization, Joel suggests Colchester East Hants Hospice Society (https://cehhospice.org) or Millbrook Youth Center (Contact Christena Curry at: [email protected]).