In 1905 Joe married Jeanne Marie Gallon who was also a native of Brittany. A year after the marriage he left his wife and infant daughter in the safety of the Gallon Family and set sail for Canada. He found employment in Quebec and later that year was followed by his wife and daughter. The next year they moved to Revelstoke.

After hearing of French settlement near Lumby they moved there with two friends. After settling the three men decided to build a movie house. They found this to not be successful financially so Joe bought out his partners shares and they went on their way. Joe then thought farming would be a good life, so he bought some land from Maud Wells. Then he bought up Harris Creek. He built a home and moved his family there. Joe passed away in 1959 and Marie in 1956.