It is with deep regret, but also with pride, that we say farewell to our long time chairman and friend Joe Rose who passed away peacefully in the early hours of Tuesday morning on the 14th September 2010 after a short illness.
Joe had championed and served the people of Blacon for more than five decades, improving the quality of life for every age group, from toddlers to pensioners. Such is the impact of his life's work that he had become affectionately known as 'Mr Blacon'.
Joe has left a tremendous legacy to the people of Blacon through his work with the Blacon Community Trust (formely Blacon Project) which has given so many people, not simply a 'hand out', but a 'hand up' into better future prospects.
Friends and colleagues will greatly miss this friendly pillar of the community as they continue to benefit from his life's work.
"Joe was an extremely inspirational man. He was passionate about Blacon and his heart and soul was all about working together as a team to improve life in Blacon. This is what Joe stood for. He was a wonderful man and we shall miss him very dearly. His legacy will live on through continued work to make a difference in Blacon in the future." Judith Sellwood BCT Manager
"Joe was a wonderful man. One of a kind. You don't meet many like him, he will be greatly remembered and sadly missed. He was devoted to the community of Blacon." Morag Calder BCT Treasurer
Tributes to Joe
"To my Dad I am so pround of you for all the great work you have done for Blacon. Blacon will never be the same without you, but God saw a genuine rose; he saw you getting weary, so he took your hand and took you home. My love always." Sandra - Daughter
"A truly great man. Always ready to go the extra mile for others, always ready to donate his own money for raffle prizes and competitions and so much more. Joe's commitment to the Blacon community was truely inspirational, his courage and tenacity to mediate and defuse situations and persistance to see good in everyone will be missed. Humour played a huge part in Joe's life, enjoying the disgust expressed by all staff at Blacon Project when he was eating a huge plate of tripe or engaging in friendly banter with staff and volunteers. Joe, often your modesty and humilty prevented you from receiving the recognition you deserved for your lifetime commitment. I have no doubt that your legacy will live on forever." David Maguire - Project Development Worker, Blacon Project, 2002 - 2004
"Joe you will be missed so much. you was the best, will miss you answerin the phone at blacon community trust, God bless you Joe." Diane Piercy
"Joe Rose was the most wonderfull man in blacon who has built and bought this community togeather it was with great pleasure to work with you on the bct board and i will never forget the days i spoke to you at your desk and talk football for ages this community will never be the same with out you joe we will all miss you to me your a legend an icon and a hero; God bless my friend X " Chris Piercy
"I have been fortunate in my role in the local authority to have comes across a number of individuals who I can truly say have been selfless in their drive and enthusiasm to make a difference for the children and young people in their communities. Joe was one such individual. Always there with a warm welcome and often a funny story to add a little sunshine to your day. The replica model of Joe that the KCC staff and children made (it’s amazing what can be done with chicken wire and a bit of newspaper) made me smile every time I saw it. He was a lovely man and real gentlemen who will be sadly missed by his family and all his friends. God Bless Joe." Barbara Jones - Childcare Strategy Team Leader, Children and Young People's Service, Cheshire West & Chester
"Joe was an inspirational character, a true gentleman, admired by all for his determination to improve life for all in Blacon - you were a great inspiration to me Joe when I was growing up in Blacon and was involved with the BYPP - and later in life through my links with Blacon in my role as a reporter, it was a privelege to have known you and you shall remain my inspiration. Sadly missed." Natalie Barnett - Friend/ reporter Chester Leader/Chester Standard newspaper
"Joe was a truly inspirational and wonderfull gentleman, always willing to share his knowledge and experience with others. It was a honour and a pleasure to have had the opportunity to work along side you. Miss you always" Sandra Hewitt - BCT Regenesis Consultant
"A very sad loss not just for his own family, but for his wider family – individuals and groups throughout the community of Blacon - to which he dedicated so much of his life. His will be very difficult shoes to fill. His enthusiasm, commitment and inherent good-nature were an inspiration to all who were fortunate to work alongside him. He will be badly missed, but he leaves a legacy for Blacon that all can celebrate and enjoy." Lee Ling - Former Team Leader - Blacon Project
"The epitome of humility, Joe did so much, achieved so much yet was always gracious, always ready to acknowledge, praise and encourage the work of others. It is unusual that someone who has been through so many changes over a long life, should be so ready to embrace and promote change - but that was Joe - a refreshing and shining example of dedication and determination to challenge convention in the interests of his beloved community. Thank you Joe." John Every
"There are few words that can truly explain the sheer dedication and commitment that Joe has shown tirelessly over the years at Blacon Community Trust and within the Blacon Community. His passion, dogged determination and aspirational qualities are a fitting legacy and tribute to a man who whilst gave so much, loved and thrived on the challenge. Joe has set an incredibly high benchmark that I and others that serve our local community will aspire to achieve. Blacon is a lesser place without Joe, but he has provided and maintained an incredible platform that all others in the community must continue to build. A legend? Most definitely... and a little bit more!!!" Dave Williams - Headteacher, Dee Point Primary School
"I feel that I am very much a newcomer to the long list of Joe's friends in the Blacon and Chester community, but I am delighted that I had the chance to get to know him and I will miss his cheery smile and warm welcome as much as anyone. As for everyone that got to know Joe, he immediately became a friend and a source of inspiration. He had a great sense of humour and was always ready with a word of encouragement and appreciation of any support. We will all miss him very much..." Stephen Perry - Chairman - Sustainable Blacon
"Joe was a beacon in his community, with his powerful committment to fairness for all. I had the honour to work alongside him for 
many years and will always remember his determination to make a real difference to the lives of people in Blacon. As well as that he was great fun to be with as this picture shows!" Nuala Keegan
"Joe was a kindhearted man who always thought about how he could make a difference. He led by example not just words. He had a real sense of what was right and wrong and wanted to see things improve for all. He had a special place in his heart for the young and for pensioners, which I admired. Even for those who society had given up as 'lost causes'. They were never that for Joe. He always saw the potential to change things for the better and made us all hugely proud to be part of his life. He will be sadly missed by all of us who live and work in Blacon and who had the great honour to know him. Rest In Peace". Marie Nelson
"Joe was an extremely inspirational man. He was passionate about Blacon and his heart and soul was all about working together as a team to improve life in Blacon. This is what Joe stood for. He was a wonderful man and we shall miss him very dearly. His legacy will live on through continued work to make a difference in Blacon in the future." Judith Sellwood BCT Manager
"Joe was a wonderful man. One of a kind. You don't meet many like him, he will be greatly remembered and sadly missed. He was devoted to the community of Blacon." Morag Calder BCT Treasurer
"We have lost a true gentleman who cared for and made a real difference to his local and wider community. Joe played an instrumental role in the formation of Blacon Credit Union back in the late 1980's and without his drive to see this take off the West Cheshire Credit Union may never have come to being. Joe was always welcoming and showed genuine compassion for those who reached out for help and guidance, which is something that we shall miss. His dry sense of humour and his ability to make you feel welcome is something we should all cherish. On behalf of all our members and trustees our thoughts go out to all Joe's family and his fellow colleagues." Neil Jay - Manager - West Cheshire Credit Union
"My lasting image of Joe is of him jumping out of his chair, twirling his walking stick, with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye, off on an adventure!" Joanne Roberts
"When I first arrived in Blacon to work as part of the new Sure Start team I was introduced to Joe and invited to do the 'Joe Rose Tour of Blacon'. It was a memorable day. Joe took us around all the Blacon sites and enthusiastically told us about the life and times of his beloved community. I have since become thoroughly involved in Blacon life (I even moved back into the neighbourhood!) and it is largely due to the inspirational work of this great man. We shall all miss you Joe." Rob Cresswell - Senior Leader, New Life Blacon Church
"Proud to have known and worked with Joe 'A perfect Gentleman' who valued everyone." Linda Davies
"Joe was a very special man with incredible spirit, a warm heart and the gift to bring people together. This man can not be replaced and his community spirit can not be equalled. He reached beyond Blacon to others across Chester with his charm and that wonderful smile. It was a privilage to have known Joe." Dennis Smale - Chairman Lache Park Limited.
"Joe is an inspiration to all who knew him and I was lucky. I really appreciated his commitment, his kindness and straightforward and simple humanity he brought to us all. We miss him greatly." Ged Edwards - Chief Executive Sustainable Blacon
"Joe came from a post war generation who understood the value of social justice and the need to challenge unfairness in society. He was inspirational in his belief in people, and that collective action could make change happen. Can I say thank you and goodbye my friend, you are a real gentleman." Reggie Jones
