JosephHALEYSon to Joseph (Joss) and Isabella (Bella) Haley; brother to Ken and Stan; beloved husband to Shirley; father to Alan, David and Graeme; grandfather to Charlotte, Matthew, Rosie & Daniel; father-in-law to Carina, Julie and Valerie, passed away peacefully in his sleep at the Q.E Hospital, Gateshead on 3rd March 2023, aged 93. Born in New Zealand in 1929, his family having emigrated there in 1926 around the time of the 'General Strike', returning to live in their original home of Chopwell, Co Durham, in 1934. Having served his apprenticeship at Adams & Gibbon in Newcastle, like most of his generation Joe then served time in National Service (REME) where he became the personal Driver to General Harding - an achievement that Joe was forever proud of. Shortly after leaving the army, Joe formed the successful road haulage business of Haley Brothers, based at Hamsterley Colliery. An innovative and influential leader within the haulage industry, Joe - along with wife Shirley and a loyal team of foremen, drivers and fitters, grew a specialist fleet of tankers serving the thriving chemical industry internationally. Haley Bros was eventually acquired by P&O to form a key component to the P&O Road Tankers operation. By then, Joe and family had settled in Rowlands Gill, at 'Canonbury', which has been their home for the last 52 years. The funeral will be held on Wednesday March 22nd. There will be a brief Committal for close friends and family held at Mountsett Crematorium at 11:45, followed by the main Service of Celebration, commencing 12:30, at Rowlands Gill Methodist Church on Strathmore Road, NE39 1HX. Anyone wishing to join the family in celebrating Joe's life is welcome to attend the church. Family flowers only are requested, with anyone wishing to pay their respects, donating to Joe's chosen charity of MIND (www.mind.org.uk ) Any further enquiries, please contact Alan at alanhaley@icloud.com.
