Joseph John Sind departed on the evening of Friday, September 22, 2023 at Eveyln’s Hospice House, in St. Louis, MO, after bravely entering into an operation to fight laryngeal cancer and suffering a stroke in the carotid artery on Monday, September 11th, 2023. Joe fought hard to overcome the setbacks of the stroke and to recover from a partial laryngectomy, but unfortunately, he caught pneumonia in the hospital and experienced multiple other significant complications, leading him and his family to the painful place of saying goodbye, for now.
Joe was born to loving parents Joseph and Elizabeth (Lee for short, maiden name Thier) in St. Louis on September 28, 1953. Joe grew up in an intimate environment. Unfortunately, Joe’s father, Joseph John Sind passed in Joe’s youth, leading to a close bond with his mother, cousin Gary, Uncle LeRoy, and Aunt Catherine McClain. Joe learned a strong work ethic from an early age, delivering papers, where he first met his wife, Joann, on his paper route.
Joe was an intensely intelligent, stubborn, strong, kind and loving man. He was the husband of 45 years to Joann Bernadette Sind (maiden name Moran). Joann and Joe dated an additional 7 years before marrying. Joe was the father to five, eldest son, Joseph John; second son, deceased, John Patrick; first daughter, Magdalena Elizabeth; second daughter, Erin Marie; and, finally, youngest daughter, Katherine Marie.
Joe, was a devout Catholic, attending Church each week. He grew up in the Resurrection Parish. He and Joann sent their four living kids to Queen of All Saints school, where he remained a member until he passed. He regularly prayed the rosary and would give consistently to the church and other charitable organizations. He was not selfish, and bought very little for himself.
Growing up, Joe and Gary spent time playing ball, riding bikes, and shooting guns and bow and arrows. He spent the weekends with his family recreating around the water. He could be found fishing, swimming, camping, playing in the waves on vacation, and later out on a ski boat the family joined forces to purchase together. The family cured their own meats and frequently enjoyed comfort food prepared by his mother.
Joe attended Washington University and earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering, which he would use for the duration of his career at Ameren, previously Union Election, home of Louie the Lightning Bug. Though he experienced regular frustrations that are a part of working in a corporation, Joe grounded himself in science and the appreciation of the actual work. Most notably, Joe loved working power plants, true to his nature, working diligently in order for others to have energy to enjoy their lives. Joe also went on to earn his Professional Engineering License and Masters of Science. Joe worked for 44 years.
In addition to his career in Engineering, Joe was both an avid soccer fan and a ‘Girl Dad’ soccer coach, coaching Magdalena’s team, and providing tips and pointers to Katherine as well. Joe not only followed the “world sport” on the main stage, he spent endless hours supporting all his kids sports at all levels, making sure to let them know when they were being a “Bucket head.” Joe’s love for soccer came from his Dad taking him to Carondelet Park to soccer tournaments when he was young.
As a young adult, he was somewhat of a dare devil. He bought a motorcycle and Joe and Joann also eventually purchased a ski boat of their own that would be used for whipping tubers around. Joe also had a knack for organizing travel and fun times for his family. He and Joann worked together to organize trips to the ocean and lakes when the kids were young. Whether he was teaching kids how to ski, throwing them in the water, or playing in the waves in Florida (on the Atlantic side, never the Gulf side because the waves weren’t big enough), Joe and Joann ensured their kids all would grow up feeling very comfortable in the water. As the kids got older, Joe and Joann planned well thought out vacations that could have easily doubled as school field trips, packed with educational insights from the Nation’s Capital to Big Sur in California, and even down to Tijuana. The kids all learned to take significant interest in history, education, stories, tours, and nature. When Joe, his wife, and his family got older, they continued to travel to many new places including, but not limited to multiple trips to Alaska, Niagra Falls, many National Parks such as Mesa Verde, Volcano, Sequoia, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Olympic, and an epic family road trip to Yellowstone. Joe loved seeing wild life.
Later in life, Joe also became a Paw-Paw to 4 beautiful and crazy grand kids, Jack Mueller, Little Joey and Lucy Sind, and Truman Drown. Paw-Paw played important roles of taxi-driver and school teacher to the grandkids during the pandemic. Joe had excellent relationships with his daughter and two son-in-laws, Jaime, Adam and Dave. Whether it was through talking soccer, reading a map, or caring for the grandkids, Joe loved them all deeply.
Other than his family and work, Joe’s biggest interest later in life was reading. He could be regularly found on his recliner in the living room, with a book on his belly, sometimes awake, sometimes in a peaceful snooze. Throughout the entire duration of his life, Joe loved learning and would never miss an opportunity to pass on articles from Smithsonian or other sources that his children might find interesting. He dedicated his life to teaching his children all practical skills and making sure they were both provided for and had all possible opportunities.
Joe had great rhythm and enjoyed a trip around the dance floor before encountering significant back pain. He loved listening to beautiful songs too. He kept a garden, was handy and did wood working, which he passed on to his son. Joe loved cookies and icecream. In addition to Joe’s grammatically intact use of the English language, he used a variety of endearing terms unique to him. He enjoyed and took care of his home with great care, loved a hug and would always offer a good kiss on the forehead.
Joe is survived and will be most missed by his loving wife, Joann; his children Joey, Maggie, Erin, and Kay; his grandchildren Jack Mueller, Joey and Lucy Sind, and Truman Drown; his daughter and son-in-laws Jaime Sind, Dave Drown, and Adam Derenbecher; his cousin Gary McClain, his wife Joyce and their family; grand dogs Lady Evelyn, Sir Winston, Penny Lane, and Miss Violet; as well as several in-laws, nieces, nephews and some dear friends.
Joe is preceded in death and welcomed into his next journey by his Mother and Father, Elizabeth and Joseph; his son, John Patrick; his Uncle LeRoy and Aunt Catherine; and some of his favorite four legged friends: Yadi, Callie, Patty Cake, Super Pup and Elsa.
Gathering:
We plan to celebrate Joe’s life with a Memorial Mass held at Queen of All Saints Parish on Thursday, October 5th at 1:30 pm.
Immediately following mass, we will hold a Celebration of Life at Bee Tree Park, where Joe loved to visit the overlook each day. The Celebration of Life will have light refreshments, of the German variety. Food will be served at the Frisbee Shelter and if the weather allows, we will proceed to the overlook to share stories and sentiments about Joe. Please feel free to come prepared with your own words to share. The celebration of life will be casual, so feel free to wear or bring anything that reminds you of Joe.
Organizations Joe and Joe’s family would be proud to support:
- Evelyn’s House – BJC Hospice
https://www.foundationbarnesjewish.org/Give-Hospice
- Peter and Paul Community Services- Solving Homelessness Together https://ppcsinc.org/give/donate-now/
- Feed My People- A St. Louis organization dedicated to providing food and other services to those in need
https://www.feed-my-people.org/donate-now
A beautiful person, will miss him, so glad he and Bug, became a part of our family. We were proud to know you Joe. May Our Dear Lord welcome you with open arms.
Joe was always fun to be around. He could entertain you for hours with his stories. He was always eager and willing to help when you had a problem or wanted to better understand an issue. He will be greatly missed by all of us who knew and worked with him. RIP
Joe was a great guy. Always fun to talk to. He was a wealth of knowledge and was a go to guy when you needed help with a problem. I am proud of the fact that I knew him and worked with him.
Joe was a great guy. Always fun to talk to. He was a “go to guy” when you needed help with a problem. I am proud of the fact that I knew and worked with Joe. Rest in peace Joe.
Joe will live in our hearts forever. We will continue praying for him and his family, that they and all of us who loved him will be granted peace.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and family during this sad time. I was fortunate to work with Joe for most of his career at Ameren. Joe was very knowledgeable and was always available and willing to assist in helping resolve work issues. Conversations with Joe were always enjoyable.
May he rest in peace.
Joann, I’m so sorry that Joe Sind passed away. I fondly remember your stories while charting in the 4 North nurse’s station! What an amazing man, for sure! Hugs, sympathy and prayers to all of you.
Joe was a great guy. We met through Ameren in our younger years. He always had a great story and loved talking about his family. Our prayers are with you all.