Joe was born in 1935, the 3^rd oldest child in a family of seven to John and Mary Marks. He attended the primary school on Castle Hill before commencing his career in the construction industry where he remained until his retirement. When the family moved to Keady Row, Joe continued to live with his mother at their shop until they eventually moved to Dunbarton Bungalows.  He worked for Hutchinsons and McAteer Construction where he was foreman until his retirement. In the words of his nephew Peter, ‘he had a great pair of hands’.

Joe was a simple, private man with a passion for fishing, gardening and D.I.Y. He loved nothing more than going for a walk along the River Bann in the evenings with his fishing rod and enjoyed going to Foxford for the odd fishing trip with his nephew-in-law Eamon. He was renowned for his gardening and was a member of chrysanthemum and dahlia clubs – his flowers were so unbelievably perfect they looked like actually paintings! He also loved fast sporty cars.

Affectionally known as Joedlow, he was loved by his family and was particularly close to his niece Mary and nephew Peter. About a year ago, Joe was diagnosed with cancer and then three months ago took the decision to end his treatment. He was in the same ward as his sister Bridgid in Craigavon Hospital before she passed away three months ago. Joe returned home to Dunbarton Bungalows but found he couldn’t manage so he decided to go to Seapatrick Care Home. When his nephew Peter went to see him, all Joe was worried about was his tomatoes and his cat Pebbles. Before he passed away he told his family he was at peace and he died on St. Patrick’s morning, exactly three months after his sister Bridgid.

Joe is survived by his sisters Margaret and Molly and brother Michael.