Joseph Denver Renaud | January 5, 1945 – October 26, 2026

Age 81 of Taylor.

“Dancing Joe”

Joseph Denver Renaud, affectionately known to many as “Dancing Joe”, hung up his dancing shoes for the final time on October 26, 2026, at the age of 81.

Joseph was a man who believed in living life fully, working hard, capturing memories along the way, and, whenever possible, finding his way to the dance floor. His life was filled with adventure, music, laughter, generosity, and an unmistakable personality that those who knew him will never forget.

Born on January 5, 1945, Joseph learned the value of hard work at an early age. As a young boy, he shined shoes and delivered newspapers, saving enough money to purchase his very own motorboat with an engine by the age of 13. He would take it onto the Detroit River from Bishop Park in Wyandotte, beginning a lifelong love of the water, fishing, and adventure. An exceptional swimmer, Joseph was often described by his family as a fish in the water.

That same determination followed him into adulthood. A proud veteran of the United States Navy, Joseph served aboard the USS Wasp during the Cuban Missile Crisis as a military police officer. Following his military service, he dedicated nearly 30 years to Ford Motor Company, working as an air conditioning operator at the Dearborn Proving Grounds. His working years also included Montgomery Ward, where his mechanical abilities and natural talent for fixing things served him well.

Known for his incredible work ethic, Joseph was never one to shy away from overtime. He believed in earning his way, providing for his family, and taking pride in a job well done. He was also the person his children could count on whenever something needed repairing. If it was broken, Dad could usually figure out how to fix it. Of course, his children often played an equally important role: holding the flashlight.

Outside of work, Joseph had an extraordinary appreciation for life’s simple pleasures.

Music was always a part of his life. Known as “Dancing Joe”, he loved to dance and never missed an opportunity to show off his moves. When the music started, Joseph wasn’t one to stand along the wall. He belonged on the dance floor.

He also had a passion for preserving memories. Whether recording his favorite movies on VHS tapes, collecting music from the radio onto cassette tapes, or taking photographs, Joseph wanted to capture the moments that mattered. A perfectionist at heart, he carefully timed his recordings to avoid commercials, determined to get every song and movie just right. His family could often hear him enthusiastically shouting, “Record it!”

And then there were his famous yellow Post-it notes. Joseph labeled nearly everything, carefully organizing his belongings, collections, and reminders as though he were creating his own personal museum. From Halloween masks to model cars and countless other treasures, everything had its place, and usually a handwritten note to go along with it.

Joseph had a lifelong love of automobiles, particularly classic cars and old hot rods. Over the years, he owned several beautiful cars, but his beloved 1970s Oldsmobile Cutlass held a special place in his heart. He especially enjoyed attending the Woodward Dream Cruise, admiring the classic automobiles and reminiscing about the cars of his younger days.

Adventure was never far from Joseph’s mind. He loved exploring Michigan, often setting out on road trips to discover new places, scenic landscapes, and historic lighthouses. He would sometimes bring as many as 20 disposable cameras, determined to capture every memorable sight along the way. A two-day drive through Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to see Copper Harbor, only to turn around and head home, made perfect sense to Joseph. For him, the journey was just as important as the destination.

Fishing remained another lifelong passion. From his younger days fishing with his brothers to the peaceful hours spent casting a line from the dock at Bishop Park in Wyandotte, the water was always a place where Joseph felt at home.

Joseph loved going out to restaurants and enjoying a good meal. Whenever he spotted a convenient parking space, he would proudly announce, “Close to the snack bar!” It was one of those familiar sayings that could always bring a smile to his family’s faces. But sometimes the simplest things became the most cherished family traditions. One such memory was his familiar breakfast of toast torn into pieces, mixed with a soft-boiled egg and cheese.

Joseph loved the holidays and always appreciated a reason to celebrate. Halloween held a particularly special place in his heart. Over the years, he could be found transforming himself into the Wolf Man, Dracula, or whatever character the occasion called for. His enthusiasm for costumes, decorations, and collecting Halloween treasures brought excitement and laughter to those around him. How fitting that his final October arrived so close to one of his favorite holidays.

Above all, Joseph loved his family. He was generous with what he had, hardworking in everything he did, and always willing to help those he cared about. He could be charming, stubborn, fiercely determined, and wonderfully particular about the things that mattered to him. These qualities, along with his sense of adventure and unmistakable personality, made him someone truly unforgettable.

Joseph was brave, courageous, and fiercely determined, never one to back down from a challenge. He and his daughter Michelle often laughed about how much alike they were, especially their fearless and stubborn personalities. They even joked about their zodiac signs and their horns: Joseph, the Capricorn, had the hard, curved horns, while Michelle, the Taurus, had the sharp, pointy ones. It was a playful reminder of the strong personalities they shared and the special bond between father and daughter.

Joseph had a special bond with his son Brian, whom he loved to spoil with just about every toy imaginable. The two shared a love of professional wrestling, spending countless hours watching WWF matches together and attending some of the biggest live events. But the real action often happened at home. Even after a long day at work, Joseph wasn’t above waking Brian up late on a school night to deliver a surprise elbow drop or put him in a full Nelson. Those unexpected late-night wrestling matches became some of Brian’s most cherished childhood memories, a reminder that no matter how hard Dad worked, he always found time to have fun with his son.

Joseph is survived by his longtime companion, Elizabet Renaud; his children John Renaud, Michelle Pratt, and Brian Renaud; and his beloved grandchildren Michael Taylor, Miranda Pratt, Luke Renaud, and Lily Renaud.

He is also survived by his siblings Claude Renaud, Claudette Renaud, and his brother Butch Renaud. He was preceded in death by his siblings Bertha Renaud, Henry Renaud, and Robert “Bob” Renaud, along with other cherished family members.

Though his dancing shoes have been put away, the music and memories he leaves behind will continue to live on in the hearts of everyone who knew and loved him.

And somewhere in all those memories, Dancing Joe is still dancing.

“Catch you on the flip side, Dad! You are!!”

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen