J. Joseph Stevens

Joe Stevens, age 89, of Golden, Colorado, formally of Chicago, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home November 10, 2015. Joe is survived by his loving wife of 64 years Margaret ""Peggy"" (Cortilet), devoted father of Brian (Joy) Stevens, Kevin (Amy) Stevens, Mary Noel (Boris) Czernyk, proud grandfather of Stefani (Matt) Lucas, Staci Stevens, Scott Stevens, Jaclyn Stevens, Kathryn Stevens, Lauryn Stevens, Mark Czernyk and beloved brother of Gertrude ""Gertie"" Green. J. Joseph Stevens was a good man of strong character and integrity, tremendously devoted to his wife Peggy and dedicated to his family. He demonstrated an extraordinarily strong work ethic, believed in higher education and was successful in integrating the two into literally two-twenty year careers. One with the Chicago Public Schools as a Teacher, Principal, Professor and Dean and a second career with the Federal Government as the Deputy Director of HEW/U.S. PHS. While much of the time working a ""second"" job selling cars, performing handyman services and Consulting. Joe was the quintessential ""good neighbor"" always willing to lend a helping hand. Being extremely handy Joe could build and fix pretty much anything and everything from cars to home additions. He was the good Samaritan that everyone called. A friends friend, a favorite uncle, the best grandpa Joe was every kids buddy, always ready to give an arm-swing or horseback ride. He had seven grandchildren but all kids called him ""Papa/Poppa"". He had a secret language with pet phrases including: sweet nothings, dinosaur toenails, popcorn and pretzels and if you were feeling down he would say; ""it will be better by the time you're married"". The son of European immigrants Julius Svrcek and Mary Uhlarick, he was born February 2, 1926 Julian Joseph Svrcek. His mother Mary died the day before his 4th birthday and he was raised by his dad and sister Gertie having to learn to fend for himself gaining independence at an early age. Growing up Joe was athletic and excelled in swimming and ice skating. Gertie and Joe started singing in the church choir and Joe continued to sing into adulthood. He especially enjoyed singing along with the rolls on the family player piano. World War II began and Joe enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving as a bombardier/photographer in the South Pacific stationed in Guam. Over 40 years later in 1989, Joe and Peg visited Guam and were overwhelmed with the warm reception and gratitude they received. The Governor of Guam presented Joe with a Certificate that read ""Honorary Ambassador-At-Large for Guam"". After the war Joe entered Chicago Teachers College and having been a strong athlete himself decided to study Physical Education (PE). It was in the school of PE where Joe met the love of his life Peggy Cortilet and the rest was a historic love story! Being in the air corps in the Navy Joe developed a passion for flying and in 1950 earned a private pilot's license (a passion he passed on to his son and granddaughter). In an effort to have a more recognizable ""American"" name he changed his name to Stevens, being familiar with it as the name on a prominent downtown Chicago hotel. Joe and Peg were married December 1, 1951. Both were PE teachers for Chicago Public Schools. In October 1952 their son Brian was born and Peg became a stay-at-home mom and homemaker. Joe supplemented his teaching salary working part-time selling cars for the Jacob Twins who later expressed; ""Joe was the most respected salesman that ever sold cars for us"". On Christmas 1955 Mary Noel was born and one year later January 1957 Kevin made three. Joe possessed an unyielding work ethic and was driven to provide for his growing family. To that end he completed his Master's Degree by taking night classes at DePaul University. He also started ""Smith-Stevens Home Improvement"" with his friend and fellow teacher John Smith to earn extra income. He later passed the CPS Principal's exam and was promoted to Principal. In 1963 Joe took a sabbatical leave from CPS and following the wisdom of Horace Greeley "" go west young man-go west"", the Stevens family moved to the campus of the University of Northern Colorado ""Greeley"" where Joe completed his Doctorate in Education. After returning to Chicago it was only a matter of time before Joe and Peg realized their hearts and soul were in the mountains of Colorado and in 1967 the Stevens' were on their way to Denver. Trips to the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, skiing lessons at Loveland, feeding chipmunks in Rocky Mountain National Park all became part of the Stevens' fabric. Dr. Joe became the Deputy Director of HEW/U.S. Public Health Service Region VIII administering and supporting allied health programs across the greater western states. He gained Presidential recognition for his efforts receiving a Superior Service Award from Jimmy Carter. Joe enjoyed his career as a ""Fed"" and retired in 1986. But he wasn't done and accepted an opportunity to serve two years as the Dean of Allied Health at Chicago State University developing the program and curriculum that continues today. Returning to Colorado Joe provided educational consulting on a project basis traveling the country and after a few years eventually really retired. He and Peg loved their ""house on the hill"" which they designed to be self-sufficient with solar, a well and even a generator for independent backup power. Joe loved to have friends visit and kept himself busy with ""projects"" which included rebuilding cars and fixing anything anyone needed fixed! They enjoyed 360 degree views of the Rockies and the city of Denver and remained there into the twilight years. The son of an immigrant tailor, raised during the Depression without a mother, and a WWII Veteran, Joe was a conservative man with modest tastes and simple needs. Inventive and industrious with a can-do spirit, Joe was a self-made man who earned all he had and enjoyed life with"" his baby"" Peg living literally "" on top of the world"". In honor of Joe and Peg's wishes to have their ashes spread together in the mountains, there will be a private family service for Joe, with a memorial for both sometime in the distant future. As Joe often expressed: ""ALL IN A LIFETIME""! Please share memories of Joe and condolences for his family in the guestbook below.