JOSEPH CHARLES KOSIOR

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JOSEPH CHARLES KOSIOR

Joseph Charles Kosior, aged 92, passed away peacefully on January 8, 2026 in Brandon, Manitoba.

Joseph’s greatest pride was his family and his legacy of love and adventure lives on through them. He is lovingly survived by his children: Jake (Irene), Wally, Charlene and Lisa. He was an immensely proud grandfather to Leslie, Stefan, Kathleen, Olivia and Avery. His heart grew even larger with the arrival of his great-grandchildren: Emberlynn, Joe, and Kaleigh.

Joseph also leaves behind his older sister, Cecile Kwiatkowski. The two shared a bond that only grew stronger with time. They were incredibly close and spoke almost daily. Often, Joseph would call Cecile not because he needed anything at all, but simply because he wanted to hear her voice and didn’t hesitate to tell her that. He will also be deeply missed by the numerous nieces and nephews he was so very fond of, all of whom held a special place in his heart.

Joseph was reunited in peace with those who went before him, including his beloved wife, Nellie, with whom he shared so much of his life’s journey. He is also now reunited with his baby son, Stephan and his parents, Kathleen and Wincenty.

Born on August 28, 1933 in Brandon, Joseph was the son of Wincenty and Kathleen Kosior. His early years were shaped by the grit and resilience of the times. He grew up in a small house in the North End where the winter chill often seeped through the walls, teaching him early on that true warmth was found in family and friends. These humble beginnings fueled an adventurous heart that could not be contained. He spent his youth exploring the outdoors, often found heading toward the river with a fishing rod in hand.

Joseph’s school years took him from David Livingstone Elementary to Earl Oxford Junior High and then Brandon Collegiate. While he was not always the most dedicated student, his true gift was his ability to connect with people. If there had been a grade for "making friends," Joe would have had an A+.

His natural curiosity often drifted toward the mechanical and technical. He had a brilliant mind for how things worked and spent much of his life fixing, tinkering and constantly upgrading his skills. He was never content with just knowing the basics; he wanted to master the "how" and "why" of every technical challenge he encountered. Some of his technical manuals weighed more than Nellie, but he never grew tired of expanding his knowledge.

Joseph’s first job was as a newspaper boy and then many of the odd jobs that would put some money in his pockets After high school, he moved out to London, Ontario to live with his uncle Wally and work at Kellog’s. In between working at the Canadian Pacific Railway, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1953 to 1956 as an aero engineer technician.

In 1965, he began a distinguished 27-year career with Manitoba Hydro in the Telecontrol Department. Never one to sit idle, Joe followed his entrepreneurial spirit just one year later, opening Aurora TV and Radio in 1966. For nearly three decades, he remarkably balanced the demands of both full-time roles simultaneously. This tireless dedication was a hallmark of his character; he was a man who didn't just work to get by, but worked to build something lasting. While he eventually retired from Hydro, his passion for his business never wavered, and he continued to operate Aurora TV and Radio for an incredible six decades.

On June 15, 1957, Joe married Nellie Lamb and shared 58 years of marriage. Together, they built a house and raised a family on McDonald Avenue in Brandon's North End. Many friends and family also lived on McDonald Avenue and in the summer evenings, you would always find Joe entertaining on the front verandah.

With Nellie by his side, they crafted a life full of adventure and travel. Summers were spent at the cabin at Clear Lake, Manitoba, while 31 winters were spent enjoying the sun and community at their family home in Weslaco, Texas. Joe and Nellie were also avid explorers, traveling extensively together to the Caribbean, Europe, Australia and South America, as well as throughout the United States, creating a lifetime of stories and memories along the way.

Joe was an active member of the Polish National Catholic Church and also the Sokol Hall, holding various positions and sharing the pride of his Polish heritage.

A celebration of Joe’s life will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026 at Brockie Donavon Funeral Home, 332-8th St., Brandon, MB. A time of visitation will take place from 10:00 a.m. until the Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. In memory of Joe, donations can be made to the Westman Dreams for Kids Foundation (www.wdfk.ca).

Condolences: www.brockiedonovan.com

As published in Brandon Sun on Jan 17, 2026