Dr. Joseph Kiss, born September 8, 1929 passed away at the age of 94 on September 26, 2023 after battling Alzheimer’s Disease for the last five years. Known as Jocó, Apu and Nagypapa, Joe’s early life was spent in a small rural village in Hungary. He went to high school in the neighbouring town and attended the University of Pécs, obtaining his medical degree. In 1956 he and his best friend, Andor Keleman, made the brave decision to leave Hungary during the revolution and try to make a new life in Canada. Their escape took them through many countries and eventually they both landed in Edmonton, Alberta. Joe made a move to Montreal where he became a teaching radiologist at McGill University while working at the Montreal General Hospital. It was there that he met Christine, his medical secretary, who would soon become his wife. They started a life together in Montreal and had their firstborn son Andy before moving to Victoria in 1972. Two years later, Joanna was born and they lived in their family home on Redwood Avenue until September 2020.
Joe was passionate, animated, intelligent, and highly skilled in black and white photography. He enjoyed reading, dinner parties, red wine, good food, gardening, opera, going to museums, classical music and dancing with Christine. They travelled the world with their children, which included several trips to his home village of Juta. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren and always encouraged them to work hard, enjoy life and remember their roots.
He will be deeply missed by all those who have fond memories of him. Joe is predeceased by his mother and father, best friend Andor Keleman, and wife Christine (2021.) He leaves behind his son Andor (Andy), daughter-in-law Rachael, grandson Oscar; daughter Joanna, son-in-law Scott, and grandchildren Angus and Lola.
A special thank you to the staff in Fir Cottage at The Priory LTC home for the love, patience and care that was provided in the last two years of his life.
A small private celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Victoria Alzheimer’s Society https://alzheimer.ca/bc or the Victoria Hospitals Foundation https://www.victoriahf.ca/
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Greg Mitton
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James Stockdill I am a retired Family Doctor, but interacted with Joe many times in the Radiology suites at the hospital. Joe was thoughtful, caring, and wise in all of my dealings with him. He was an individual you just looked forward to meeting with. As a family you have every right to be very proud of Joe. I am so sorry for your loss.
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John Mathieson Joe was such a pleasure to work with. He was one of the most enthusiastic people I knew – always excited about something, and very, very concerned about doing things the right and most modern way. He always supported innovations in radiology. Even after he retired he had a great interest in learning about the latest developments. I also really enjoyed discussing photography with him, and learned a great deal from him. He was very kind to me, and I really enjoyed his company – “one of a kind”.
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Stuart Silver I worked with Dr. Joe Kiss from 1990 until his retirement. I loved his enthusiasm for radiology, and for life. He was a great mentor for me.
Unforgettable!!
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Denise Michalski I worked with Dr. kiss for many years until his retirement. He was such a hard working man. Enjoyed listening to his stories of his life, in Hungary, his garden, his photography and recommendations of good wines. He was well respected in his profession. I am thankful for the time I got to work along side him in angio. Rest in peace, well deserved. My condolences to his family.
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Del Pengelly I worked with Joe for many years in the Medical Imaging Departments in Victoria. He was, to me, a teacher, a colleague,and most importantly, a friend. I loved talking to Joe about anything, whether it was a CT scan, his Ansel Adams style photography, his garden, or a bargain Hungarian wine. He had such a “joie de vivre” about him and it was sad to see the sparkle leave his eyes as he struggled with his disease. Rest in peace, Joe.
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Joan Laharty I did not know Dr. Kiss very well, but loved all the stories that dear Christine used to tell me as we were working together as volunteers at the RBCM. Sincere condolences to all the family. Joan
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Lisa Heffelfinger Light and love. You did well by him these last few years. I’m sure he was proud of you!
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Robyn Scott Although I never met your dad Joanna, I feel like I knew him from the posts you shared and the stories Angus would tell about him. It was very apparent he was deeply loved and had a huge impact in all facets of his life: family, friends, and the medical community. He’s earned a peaceful rest❤️
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Corinne Beaupre Dr Kiss was a pleasure to work with. He had a great sense of humor and all the techs enjoyed working with him.
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Alex Moll “passionate, animated, intelligent” are all true of the Joe I remember from my visits to the radiology department when I was working at the Royal Jubilee and VGH, back in the days when clinicians routinely visited our medical imaging colleagues to discuss cases. Joe was always cheerful and positive and could always recommend a good red wine at a good price at the liquor store. What a great colleague!
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Irene Dumka Please accept my deepest condolences to the family. Joe was a very dear friend. We had a lot of good times together with his dear wife Christine.
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Michael Kelemen I will always remember the passion Uncle Joe gave to everything and everyone in his life. His laugh was infectious, his broad knowledge inspired intelligent and engaging conversations. Andor and Joe were two lifelong friends who succeeded at everything life threw their way, they leave behind a wonderful legacy of family and grand children. Our hearts and Love go out to Andor, Joanna, Rachael, Scott and their children. Uncle Joe lives in our hearts. Peace, Love, Family. Fondly, Michael, Therese, Pamela, Howard and our families.
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KEN FYKE I was saddened to learn of Dr Joe Kish’s passing. He was a skilled radiologist, dedicated to quality, and very kind to his patients. I worked with Joe, when the hospitals were amalgamated in 1984. My condolences to his family,
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Richard Mark It was a honour and a pleasure working with Dr kiss.
He was always helpful and respected by all the staff
at all the hospitals in Victoria and Duncan.
He has been and will be missed.
Richard Mark
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Bill and Janice Snow We send our sincere condolences to Joe’s family and extended families. Many times we had the pleasure of being in his company,enjoying a glass of red wine and listening to his stories. He was always entertaining and fun to be around. We shall surely miss him.
This week I learned of Joe’s passing from Richard Mark
What can I say about Joe….
Larger than life, expansive interests, who brought a bit of the larger world to his work and life and to all of us who knew him.
Was honoured to know and work with him.
When he retired, I was lucky enough to occupy his former office at VGH…. So I always felt that I was exposed to a little bit of his spirit every day.