Wednesday, March 7, 2007

John Joseph Poitevin Jr.


The eldest son of a founding eastern Idaho family, a force in the establishment of skiing as a recreational activity, and a man who never met a stranger, John Joseph "Joe" Poitevin Jr., died Sunday, March 4, 2007.

Joe was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, on Nov. 26, 1919. His father, John J. Poitevin Sr., and grandfather, Anton Poitevin, were influential businessmen and farmers in the eastern Idaho community. One of six children, Joe graduated from University of Washington in Business and Economics in 1942.

He entered the U.S. Navy in 1942 and served during World War II as a gunnery officer aboard the destroyer escort USS Craven, mostly in the Pacific theater. He met Doris Gregory in San Diego during the war and they were married Oct. 10, 1945.

Following his separation from active duty in 1946, he and wife "Dodie" returned to Idaho Falls. With his brother Richard "Dick" Poitevin, he took over and operated the family retail lumberyard, John J. Poitevin Lumber Co.

Skiing was a central thread woven through Joe's entire life. He began skiing as a teen in Idaho Falls. Early lessons in the new sport included "eavesdropping" on Austrian ski instructors as the newly opened Sun Valley resort in 1936. He skied on the University of Washington ski team until World War II interrupted the fun.

Believing that skiing was a good family activity and could be economically beneficial, he was a founding director of the KIFI ski school, a volunteer effort that taught thousands of local children. He was a certified ski instructor, an honorary lifetime member of the Idaho Falls Ski Club, and remained an active recreational skier into his late 70s.

After John J. Poitevin Lumber was sold to Anderson Lumber, Joe and his family moved to Ketchum, Idaho, in 1965 to open Anderson Lumber there. In the exploding resort community, the yard became one of the busiest in the chain. In 1976, Joe was named director of personnel for Anderson Lumber and moved to Ogden, Utah. He also served on the board of directors until his retirement in 1982.

Joe's belief in commitment to the community was reflected in lifelong service. He was a member and president of the Idaho Falls Exchange Club and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He continued service in Ketchum as a member and president of the Ketchum Chamber of Commerce and the Ketchum Rotary Club. From 1967 to 1975, he was also a director of the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, financial arm of the Sun Valley Ski Team.

Joe was an avid golfing member of the Ogden Golf and Country Club. He was also a master gardener.

Joe is survived by his wife, four sisters, four children, 10 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Donations may be made to Mount Benedict Monastery, 6000 S 1075 E., Ogden, UT, 84405; Vista Hospice, 425 E. 5350 S, Suite 155, Ogden, UT, 84405; or to the Ski Education Foundation.

A chapel service will be held at Leavitts Funeral Home in Ogden at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7. An open house will follow at Ogden Golf and Country Club from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.




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