ANCASTER, Ont. – Art Joosse, founder of the Ontario-based Comcar Owner/Operators Association, died April 7 after a brief battle with liver cancer. He was 58.

Owner/operators who belong to the association have yet to elect a successor, although Joosse officially stepped away from his duties in January.

While the former high school guidance counselor launched ComCar as a part-time venture in 1972, he became known for his active role in several trucking related issue when he was called upon as a voice of owner/operators. He was co-chairman of the Canadian Trucking Human Resources Council, was a co-founder of the Canadian Cooperative of Independent Truck Owner/ Operators, and sat on such government groups as the Target ’97 task force into truck safety in Ontario.

Joosse was honored with an Award of Excellence during last year’s National Transportation Week festivities.

But a packed Immanuel Christian Reformed Church on April 11 was also a testament to his community involvement, as a teacher and a lay minister. Representatives from the Teamsters, Private Motor Truck Council of Canada, National Truck League, Canadian Trucking Human Resources Council and other industry businesses took their seats alongside church parishioners, former students and owner/operators.

Family members quoted from Joosse’s poetry, which reflected his religious feelings.

“I thought I was busy,” added one industry member. “Then I met Art. Then I was busy…He was committed to the trucking industry, he cherished his family and he worshipped his Lord.” n