Fassler, Joseph K.
It is with great sadness that the family of Joseph K. Fassler announces his passing on Friday, December 1, 2017, after a brave battle with cancer. Joe will be lovingly remembered by his twin brother, Gustave (Lynne), his nephew and nieces, Steven (Anne), Deborah (Frank), Sally (David), Elizabeth (Dan), and Forrest (Bob). Joe will also be forever remembered by his nine great nieces and nephews, extended family, and dear friends. Joe was predeceased by his brothers Michael (Andrea) and Leon (Estelle) Fassler. Joe was born on January 26, 1942, in New York City. Joe attended Oklahoma State University, graduated with a degree in hotel and restaurant management, before becoming a long-time resident of Paradise Valley. Joe proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps. In 1963, Joe began and spent his entire career with Restaura, Inc., a subsidiary of the Phoenix-based Viad Corp. He held a number of positions in the company, ultimately president and CEO. Joe served on the board of directors, and is past chair of the National Restaurant Association. He served on the boards of numerous other organizations, including the National Restaurant Association's Educational Foundation, National Park Hospitality Association (NPHA), American Hotel and Motel Association, Northern Arizona University's School of Hotel and Restaurant Management, Oklahoma State University's College of Human Environmental Sciences, Sun Orchard, Inc., and Metz Enterprises. Joe was awarded a 1995 MUFSO Golden Chain Award from Nation's Restaurant News for his industry leadership and community service. He also was the 1996 recipient of the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association's (IFMA) prestigious Gold Plate Award for his innovation, leadership and dedication to the foodservice industry, and the 2008 NRAEF's Thad and Alice Eure Ambassador of Hospitality Award. Beyond the impressive list of professional accomplishments and accolades, Joe will also be remembered by the positive impact he had on all those that he came in contact with over his lifetime. A Memorial Service will be held for Joe on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 11:45 a.m., at the Beth David Cemetery, 300 Elmont Rd, Elmont, NY. Those who desire, in lieu of flowers, may make donations in memory of Joe to the National Restaurant Association's Educational Foundation.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Arizona Republic on Dec. 10, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Fassler

23 Entries

Chris Argento

June 18, 2025

Sincere condolences to Joe's family and friends.
Joe and I worked for Prophet Foods. He was my District Mgr before becomming President.
GM Plant Tarrytown NY, Avon Products, Avon, NY and Portchester School District, Portchester, NY 1970-77. Quick witted, filled with high energy, dsciplined, intelligent, and an excellent motivator! Happy to have walked with you Joe - thanks for the advice you shared throughout the years which helped advance my career.

"What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others." - Pericles
R.I.P.

Semper Fi!
Slow Hand Salute

Thomas Bonfiglio

June 17, 2025

My sincerest condolences to the Fassler family on the loss of a great man and mentor.

Joe was District Mgr for the Prophet Foods Division of Greyhound Food Management.

Many fine memories .

Joe, you were the best. May you rest in eternal peace.

Richard Dreisen Password is Golfer11

December 4, 2024

We all hope too make life better for everyone we meet.. Joe did that throughout his life.
On a personal level, Joe helped me with his wisdom, common sense, and his positive attitude. I miss him also for his sense of humor, ethics, and his standards of behavior.

richard dreisen

December 4, 2023

Karan and I miss having Joe at our home. He was always a member of our family. Joe was an amazing friend to all of our guests. Karan and Richard Dreisen

Dennis R Kadet

February 5, 2023

I remember Koe fondly it saddens me to learn of his passing I worked for greyhound food management for 9 years in the far food division starting in Detroit then in Sacramento and phoenix he was a good man and had great leadership skills

richard dreisen

December 4, 2022

Karan and I miss Joe very much. His commonsense advice was always "right on the mark". He entertained our friends with so many special life stories. He was honest, smart, loyal, and loved his music and sports. Family was very important to Joe.
We all respected Joe's balance of exercise, work, friends, family, and values. Joe was a terrific role model for many of our friends. He is missed everyday.

richard dreisen

November 28, 2022

Please see my note from last December, 2021. We miss him very much. He was a very positive influence on our life. He was an amazing human being!

Yves capoen

November 27, 2022

Joe hired me February 1975 he was the greatest manager I ever met to this day I remember him well for being a great motivator of people.

richard dreisen

December 4, 2021

Joe was a friend who would be a great role model.
Loyal, common sense advice, sense of humor, smart, and well rounded life experiences that would be a positive influence for each life he touched.
I am very thankful to have learned so much from Joe. I miss him so much. He was like member of our family.

richard dreisen

December 4, 2020

I miss Joe's wisdom, sense of humor, intelligence, common sense, and entertaining stories. He is a friend that everyone would want in their life. I miss him everyday!

richard dreisen

December 4, 2019

There is not a day that goes by without me thinking of Joe. I miss his sense of humor, wisdom, desire to help everyone that he met to make their life a little better, and his great stories about his life experiences.
Joe made my life better in many ways, and to help me get through my sadness, I turn my thoughts to the fun we shared together! Thank you for everything JOE!

IAN B. TIPPET

July 20, 2018

For MYSELF I am one of the two longest serving EMPLOYEES EVER (me 1950 - 2014) in Glacier / Waterton International Peave Park (Concessioner) under several Leaders in Companies. Mr. JOSEPH K. FASSLER was "my boss" in the Glacier Park Inc., Term - Greyhound Food Management and Associates. A GENTLEMAN in THE TRUE MEANING OF THE WORD - GRACIOUS - DECENT - LIND - and THOUGHTFUL. JOE - I "LEARNED TONS FROM YOU" - GOD BLESS YOU and KEEP YOU" and MAY YOU REST IN PEACE - FOREVER.

July 10, 2018

Joe was one of a kind. When I think of Joe words like integrity, honesty, directness and enthusiasm come to mind. Plus Joe had stories, great stories that he told! So sorry to hear of his passing.

Terry Broekemeier

Richard Cueny

May 3, 2018

My sincere sorrow on Joes passing. A great wonderful man who sincerely touched lives.

February 16, 2018

We were saddened to hear of Joe's passing, he was a great friend and a great guy. He was someone that was very special to us. When we were asked to perform for one of his conventions he treated us like super stars. this led to a friendship that will be remembered always. He was a very special person and you don't meet someone like that everyday. He will be missed.
Al Raitano and the Al Raitano band
Less, James, Al and Ricky (Ricky has passed but I know that he would agree with us as he also thought the world of Joe)

Susan Van Buren

December 22, 2017

I have never met anyone like Joe, and I'm sure I never will. It was a pleasure to be part of his leadership team with Restaura. Rest In Peace Joe. Thank you for your dedication and contribution to the hospitality industry.

Bob Bohannon

December 19, 2017

Simply the best.

Tracy Hartman

December 13, 2017

Rest In Peace.

Mary Balliet

December 13, 2017

What can you say about Joe? There are many things, great leader, caring person, loved sports, funny, loyal, story-teller, honest, I could go on and on. He was a special person and all who were friends or part of the Restaura family were lucky and privileged to know and work with him. His life experiences and the stories he could tell were amazing. There will not be another person like Joe, he will be missed. My thoughts and condolences to Gus, Lynne and his family.

Dave & Rosie Parks

December 11, 2017

We will truly miss Joe. I first met Joe in 1982 when he hired me. He had some basic business principles that he ran the company with and shared them with me. I embraced those principles and carried them to other companies. Joe taught me a lot about business and also about life. We loved his stories and how he always asked about our children and how they were doing. He always had a smile and called me "his boy." He was like a second father to me. We know he is now in a better place.

December 11, 2017

Gus and Family -- We were so sorry to hear of Joe's passing. He was a wonderful, energetic, and giving man. He will be missed by so many. It was a privilege to know Joe.

Patty and Grant Phillips

Rich and Jerri Shields

December 11, 2017

We loved, respected and honor Joe...what a great man!

richard dreisen

December 9, 2017

I miss my best buddy ! Joe, thank you for teaching me so many of life's valuable lessons. I promise to pass them on to my family and friends. You are always with me, and I am sincerely grateful to have had you in my life! You made many lives better.... Our world is a better place thanks to you.

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