Obituary of Alan Douglas Joyner

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather Alan Douglas Joyner at the age of 75 on Tuesday, January 4, 2022.  He is the beloved husband of Julia (nee Semenuk) for 56 years.  Dear father of Douglas Joyner (Barb), Andrew Joyner (Amy), Steven Joyner (Elizabeth).  Loving grandfather of Kalena (Jamie), Stewart (Maddison), Nathan (Faith), Rebecca, Alexander, Dante, Halaina, and Lorenzo, and great-grandfather of Stewart Henry.  Alan will be dearly missed by his siblings Marilyn Misener (the late Horace), the late Elaine Franks (the late Basil), Leona Mark (the late Alfred), Ron Joyner, Audrey Felker (Joe), Verna McCutchen (the late Jim), Owen Joyner (Verlie), Lionel Joyner (Victoria), Earl Joyner (Patricia), and Daryl Joyner (Janet). Dear brother-in-law to the late Dora Jones (Bill), Theresa Lenson (the late Earl), the late Sophie Edwards (the late Al), the late Nicholas Semenuk (Patricia), Mary Lou Kostecky (the late Tony), Lillian Petkovich (Peter), Victoria Joyner (Lionel), Bernice Hall (William), Peter Semenuk (Ann), George Semenuk (Bonnie), Debra Tomarin, Daniel Semenuk (Julie), Edward Semenuk (Monique).  Also predeceased by parents Stewart and Violet Joyner of Smithville, and parents-in-law Daniel and Lena Semenuk of Thorold (Turners Corners). Uncle Alan (Whitey) will be deeply missed by all his nieces and nephews.  Alan had three amazing godsons Daryl Hodge, Joshua Semenuk, and Dustin Cass, that he cared for deeply and loved very much.  Alan was raised and worked his entire life in Smithville.  He was employed in Smithville by age 10 working at Boulter’s Meats, Comfort & Tylee Meats, MacInnes’ Dry Cleaners, and General Refractories of Canada where he retired after more than 40 years. In 1969, Alan joined the South Grimsby Volunteer Fire Department which became the Township of West Lincoln Volunteer Fire Services (Station 1) where he spent 37 years serving the Township of West Lincoln. Alan Joyner (Whitey, Short Arms, Open Mic) was the last volunteer to retire serving both South Grimsby (pre 1970) and the newly formed Township of West Lincoln (after 1970).  The Joyner family would like to personally thank all of Alan’s St. Elizabeth Nurses (Shania, Barb, Paul), and his PSWs from Bayshore (Matt and Madelyn).  Alan was on dialysis at the Welland Hospital so many thanks must be given to all the medical professionals at Niagara Health Services, his many drivers from Niagara Specialized Transit, and to Brenda Walker and Tom and Laurie Merritt for providing dad with ramps  for home.  We are also grateful to his physicians Dr. Jade Sillick and Dr. Dzingala, and to Rev. Eleanor Clitheroe for their caring support.  Due to current Covid restrictions, visitation is required to be by booked appointment.  You may prebook a visitation time through the link below, or call the funeral home at 905-957-7031 to prebook a time. Visitation will be held at Merritt Funeral Home, 287 Station Street, Smithville on Thursday, January 6 from 7-9 p.m., and Friday, January 7 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. and is limited to booked times available, with masks and social distancing required.  A private funeral service will be held at St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Smithville with interment at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Hamilton.  For those wishing to view the funeral service online, a link will be available by Saturday morning, where the service will begin at approximately 9 a.m. Saturday, January 8.  Memorial donations to St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Smithville would be greatly appreciated by the family.

Click here to view Alan's funeral service, Saturday morning approximatly 9am.

Book one appointment time per household group: (for example, a couple who live together would book one appointment time)

Click here to sign up for one of the limited times for visitation.