Obituary of Joseph Dolphy (1931 – 2021) – Wyoming, MN

90-year-old Joseph Eugene Dolphy died at Meadows Assisted Living in Wyoming, MN where he served as Honorary Chaplain for the past 5 years. He welcomed new residents, led weekly Rosary sessions, made sure Catholics received Communion, and sat with many people in the transitional care unit, assisted living, and memory care as they recovered and came out of this world.

Joe was born in Blaine, Minnesota and raised on a farm in southern Anoka County. In 1950 he married Beverly Bucher and they moved to Mounds View where they began to raise their family. He was a mechanic for many years and owned auto repair shops, a used car fleet, designed and manufactured tow truck accessories, van and motorhome accessories. He also built and raced cars from the early 1950s through 1969. He was a track favorite at Twin Cities Speedway in Blaine, MN.

In 1965, Joe and Bev moved their family to a hobby farm on Typo Lake, Linwood Township, northern Anoka County. After Bev’s death in 1988, Joe sold his house and began to spend the winter in Yuma, Arizona, where he enjoyed square dancing and met Kathy Larson whom he married in 1992. After their marriage, Joe and Kathy enjoyed traveling. They spent the winters in Yuma, the summers at his cabin near Talmoon, MN, and the spring and fall with Kathy’s family in Richland, WA. While in Richland, Joe volunteered at Kadlec Medical Center in the surgery waiting room. He received an award for volunteering over 4,000 hours.

There are several long-standing family traditions. Joe and Bev started the Dolphy Family Booya in 1967, inviting around 50 people. This tradition continues and has spread to include several generations of our family and friends. For several years, more than 200 people were present. COVID has reduced the number of attendees, but Joe was determined to help “at least peel the potatoes” one last time in preparation for the Booya in 2021. He was happy to be there to help with the preparations on Saturday and take advantage of a few more bowls of Booya on Sunday.

Another tradition is Dolphy Family Camp. It started as a celebration of Joe and Bev’s 25th wedding anniversary. They wanted all of their children and grandchildren to camp with them. This annual event continues with the participation of many family members of four and one, five generations. Joe enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially with his family.

In his forties, he obtained his GED and Associates degree in chemical dependency counseling. He has used his skills in counseling recovering alcoholics and individuals at care facilities in the Forest Lake area, Yuma, Ariz., And Richland, WA.

Joe was predeceased by his parents, Tony and Dora (Faymoville) Dolphy; brothers, Howard and Paul C. Dolphy; sister, Margaret (Dolphy) Benson; his wife, Beverly (Bucher) Dolphy; grandson, Tony Dolphy and his second wife, Kathy Larson; son-in-law, Dave Lathrop.

Joe is survived by his sister, Valeria Thoeny; children, Angie Gordon, Sandy Lathrop, Joe Jr (Janet), Paul (Valerie), Brian (Susan), Pam (Mike) Olson; grandchildren, Doug (Mandy) Reitmeier, Diane (Tex) Cuabo, Jeff (Amy) Lathrop, Mark Lathrop, Bill Lathrop, Ron Lathrop, Andy (Jessica) Lathrop, Jed (Vicki) Dolphy, Jill (Joseph) Kouba, Jim (Leia) Dolphy, Tara Bauer, McLean Dolphy, Chris Dolphy, Megan (Jamon) Terrell, Bob (Kim) Olson, Sheri (Zach) Howell, Rick (Heidi) Olson, Tom (Jackie) Olson; 35 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren, several honorary children and grandchildren, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Kathy and several nieces and nephews. He will be missed by his friends in Meadows on Fairview, the Knights of Columbus and St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Forest Lake.

The family thank the staff at Meadows on Fairview and Accent Hospice for the care and kindness to Joe over the past few months.

Christian Burial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 3, 2021 at St. Peter’s Church, 1250 South Shore Drive, Forest Lake, Minnesota. Visitations will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at Mattson Funeral Home, 343 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake with a rosary at 7:00 p.m. Visits will continue at the church on Friday one hour before mass. For those who cannot attend, the Mass will be broadcast live on https://youtu.be/buUOiWob5Sk Due to health concerns, wearing a mask is compulsory for all participants. Interment will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, North Branch, Minnesota. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Joe’s memory to your favorite charity.