Grandpa Joe is elderly and spends most of his time in bed, but he is youthful at heart. Grandpa Joe is the one who tells Charlie stories about the wonderful things inside Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. He shares in Charlie's excitement.

Charlie's family is poor, but he receives a Wonka bar every year for his birthday. Charlie does not find a ticket in his birthday bar, and when four golden tickets are found by other children, Grandpa Joe digs into his secret savings to give Charlie a dime to buy another chocolate bar.

Charlie finally receives his ticket when he finds a dollar in the snow and uses it to buy two chocolate bars. Charlie runs home to tell his family. When Charlie shows them the ticket, Grandpa Joe jumps up and dances, even though he has not gotten out of bed for the past twenty years.

Grandpa Joe's excitement for Charlie and shared fascination in the factory make him the perfect chaperone to accompany Charlie to the factory tour.

We see how this is the right choice when they go to the factory. He and Charlie are patient when they wait outside, but inside Grandpa Joe is thrilled with everything he sees. He defends Mr. Wonka to the other parents. He is exuberant and excited but also wise.