Joseph Anton Fornal

Joseph Anton Fornal of Holden, Alberta passed away peacefully on January 20, 2026. Joe was born at Torlea, Alberta March 11, 1944 to John and Maria Fornal. Joe was raised on the farm with 10 brothers and sisters and pursued a teaching career after high school, graduating from the University of Alberta in the education faculty. He settled in Holden, Alberta where he lived out his days. Some of the highlights of his teaching career were teaching in Australia, and New York state. In the later years of Joe’s career, he spent many years being a principal and a vice-principal at Holden and Viking school. Joe was a very friendly interactive principal with a very unique sense of humour that brought smiles to many of his colleagues and students.

Joe was a very active member of the community. He served as the mayor of Holden for awhile and did various volunteering. Joe also enjoyed traveling, with Hawaii being a favourite destination. His adventures led him worldwide to many different countries, where he explored many different cultures. When he retired Joe traveled with his sisters Emily and Helen to many U.S. destinations where the three of them made many treasured memories. While at home he treasured gardening, maintaining a greenhouse and a garden for many years.