Joseph “Joe” Lloyd Peak was born on Aug. 15, 1946, in Laramie, Wyo. He passed away after a long and hard fought battle with cancer on Nov. 24, 2012, at the Hospice House in Coeur d’Alene in the presence of his loving family.

The first of two boys of Joe and Florence (Reddie) Peak, Joe grew up in Laramie and attended St. Laurence O’Toole Catholic School. He graduated from the Laramie High School in 1964. Spending his summer months working with his dad at Granite Canyon’s rock quarry for the Morrison-Knudsen Company, he attended the University of Wyoming, where he completed a Bachelor of Science degree in outdoor recreation in 1969.

While a student, Joe was involved in St. Paul’s Newman Center in Laramie, an on-campus organization for Catholic students and faculty, where he met Rose Mary Poelma. After he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army, he and Rose Mary were married on May 16, 1970. They moved to Anchorage, Alaska, where Joe achieved the rank of Captain while stationed there. During the Alaska years, he also worked as a civilian, directing youth activities and sports. Joe’s passion for the outdoors led him and his family to North Idaho in 1978, where he and Rose Mary purchased and managed the Enaville Resort. Joe’s personable nature and love of the outdoors and people were legendary in the Silver Valley.

Joe was an unstoppable promoter of the Enaville Resort, also known as the Snake Pit, and of the region that surrounded it. He was a co-founder of a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot and got out of a sick bed to attend what likely was the final one only hours before his death. He founded and organized Ride the Wall, which benefits the Silver Valley Center for Housing. He was the brains and brawn behind the Canyon School Turkey Dinner and the St. Rita’s Mostaccioli Dinner. If there was a benefit of any kind within driving distance of the Resort, Joe was sure to be there, probably dishing up huge amounts of hot chocolate or food that he had helped prepare. He used his business as a way to help others. Joe generously contributed to the people of the Silver Valley in countless ways during his 34 years there, and his presence will be greatly missed.

Joe was instrumental in persuading the Idaho Legislature to allow liquor licenses for historical sites like the Snake Pit, which were located outside incorporated cities. He also founded the first environmental group in Shoshone County — CLUTCH — (Citizens League United for Tourism and Children’s Health) that kept a PCB-handling facility from locating at the old zinc plant. Joe knew every hole on the North Fork, and everyone who lived “up the river,” and was a message center for those desiring fishing or any other information.

A lifelong Roman Catholic, Joe was a member of the St. Rita’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. During his years in North Idaho he was a member of the Kellogg School Board, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game Resource Advisory Committee, countless committees that supported outdoor recreation and was instrumental in the creation of the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes bike trail. He founded the Youth Basketball League, refereed games for more than 30 years, and even helped with the chains at Kellogg High School football games. Before his cancer diagnosis, Joe was an avid runner and cyclist, competing for years in fun runs, biathlons and marathons. Something of an expert on fishing in the Enaville area, he loved to fish himself but loved helping other people with their fishing problems even more. And in his spare time, he wrote a weekly column, for the Shoshone News-Press, the Northfork Notebook, and was active in politics and local government.

Joe is survived by his three children: the Rev. Jimmy Peak, currently serving in the Army as a Roman Catholic Chaplain in Afghanistan, Jacque and husband Kevin Haler of Coeur d’Alene, and Andy and his wife Sharis Peak of Rose Lake; four grandchildren Makai, AJ, Anthony and Aspen with a fifth due in December; one brother, Jim and his wife Rogene Peak of Laramie and their children and grandchild. Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Rose Mary, in January of this year; his mother, Florence (Reddie) and his father, Joe.

The vigil will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012, at the St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Kellogg, with a reception to follow. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012, at St. Pius Catholic Church in Coeur d’Alene, with a lunch reception to follow. Final inurnment, with military honors, will take place in the afternoon of Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012, at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Spokane.

The family wishes to express thanks to the staff of the North Idaho Cancer Center, Kootenai Medical Center and Hospice of North Idaho for the excellent and compassionate care provided to Joe. The family suggests that memorials may be made to the Shoshone Cancer Resource Center, 204 Oregon St., Kellogg, ID 83837; or to the St. Rita’s Catholic Church, 27 Kellogg Ave., Kellogg, ID 83837; or to Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835. The family will also appreciate donations of time to any youth sports activity in Joe’s honor.

You may sign Joe’s online guest book at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com.

Shoshone Funeral Services & Crematory, Kellogg, is entrusted with the funeral arrangements.