Joseph Anthony Fisher I

Joseph Anthony Fisher I, 80, of Fremont, was called home to his heavenly Father on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. On February 1, 1944, Joe was born and raised in Riley Township (also known as his earthly heaven) by his parents, Ralph W. and Genevieve (Miller) Fisher. On February 12, 1966, he married the love of his life, Barbara Jeanne (Good) Fisher, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Together they had the joy of raising five children, which Joe loved more than life itself. Surviving Joe are his children Julie (Ron) Darr, Tammy (John) Wellman, Joseph (Natasha) Fisher II, and Jennifer (Karl) Schabel. His daughter, Mary (Fisher) Diaz preceded him in death and was there to greet him with open arms.

Although Joe took many short trips to Michigan and surrounding states over his life with Barabara, his favorite place to be was anywhere in Riley Township. Over his lifetime he lived in five different homes, two of which he built, in one country block, never wandering far from his grandparent’s homestead which he referred to as “Riley Heaven”. He and Barbara also spent many hours enjoying their cabin in the woods, creating memories and enjoying family gatherings.

From the young age of eight or nine, Joe helped on the family farm, driving trucks (he remembers sitting on a tarp so he could see out the windshield) and tractors. Early on he wanted to be a farmer, but it didn’t take him long to know it wasn’t for him. He found his real love was working on anything with an engine. He grew up tinkering in the shop and making go-carts and later in life made his own hotrod. He always had some kind of engine project going on. Growing up, his favorite part about the holidays was when his uncles visited him and would come out to the shop to see his latest project.

Joe was not a big fan of school, as he didn’t have the patience to sit still. His teacher once told him he would have to be a floor sweeper to make a living. However, three days into his machining class, he was in love. In his senior year he tested and placed top of state for his machining skill. His official machining career started with Grove Machining, but only lasted three days when they found out he was only fifteen. He later worked for Carbo Tool & Die and did nothing but skilled labor from then on. He loved being creative. In 1969 Joe went to work for Paul Newland at Progress Design and Machine Inc. in Clyde, Ohio. In 1982 Thomas Rich and Joe became owners when they bought Paul out. When Tom retired, Ken Grosjean and Kent Delventhal partnered with Joe and merged with Toledo Automated Concepts (TAC) around 1990 to become Progress Design & Machine Inc. TAC. They ran a very successful business until he retired in 2011.

Retirement did not slow Joe down. He loved being outdoors tinkering with his many tractors, working on projects in his shop, hanging out at his cabin, dragging home “treasures” and designing home improvements with his abundant creativity. He also had a passion for riding his bike on the trail. He rode many, many miles and it was like giving up a friend when he could no longer do it. He was a prankster at heart and loved getting a good laugh from his shenanigans. Joe loved life and he loved people. There wasn’t anybody he came across that he didn’t try to figure out who they were related to and how they were connected. Joe’s Catholic faith was very much instilled in his life. He and Barbara spent many occasions with local Catholic priests. In recent years Joe and Barb adopted a beloved cat named Norma. She brought much joy to Joe’s life as he doted on her and enjoyed her company. His family was his biggest blessing. He wasn’t afraid to reach out many days with a text saying he loved us. He will be forever in our hearts and deeply missed.

 Left to honor his legacy, in addition to his wife and children, are his twelve grandchildren, Isabella Diaz of Chicago, Illinois, Lauren(Lucas) Preston-Colvin, Matthew Sieving, Nick Wellman, Chelsea Wellman of Portland, Oregon, Johnny Wellman, BriAnna (Brett) Ybarra of Fostoria, Hannah (Brett) Foos of Perrysburg, Toby (Casey) Fisher, Joseph (Alyssa) Fisher III, Scottie (Katie) Leighton, Brandon Leighton, Rileigh Leighton, as well as 20 great-grandchildren, his sister Jean Marie (Roger) Sabo of Newark, Ohio and son-in-law, Carlos Diaz of Chicago, Illinois and numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. 

Preceding Joe, in addition to his parents and daughter, Mary Diaz, are two brothers, Frank and Mike Fisher, grandsons, Evan James Sieving, Bradly Albert Leighton, Joseph William Leighton and Michael Scott Leighton.

Visitation will take place on Friday, June 28, 2024 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Wonderly Horvath Hanes Funeral Home and Crematory, 425 E State St., Fremont, OH.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, June 29, 2024; 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 550 Smith Rd., Fremont, OH.  Joe's funeral mass can be live streamed at https://www.nationalwebcasts.com/webcasts/sheart/

Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Fremont, OH.

Memorials can be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.whhfh.com.