Joseph R. Fey, 73
Joseph R. Fey, 73, passed away with his wife at his side on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010, at his home north of Clark Fork, Idaho, following a brief, but valiant battle with cancer.
Joe was born Sept. 4, 1937, in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was the son of Robert F. Fey and Viola (Carra) Fey. He grew up in Brooklyn and Richmond Hill and graduated from St. John’s High School in 1955. In 1957 he enlisted in the Marine Corps, serving until 1963. While stationed at Camp Pendleton, Lance Cpl. Fey met his future wife, Grace. The couple was married at St. Anthony’s in South San Gabriel, Calif., on Sept. 3, 1960.
Joe worked as a meat cutter for Grand Union Co. based in Paramus, N.J. He was later employed by Von’s Markets in California and Safeway in Kalispell, Mont. He and his wife operated a supper club and lounge in Lusk, Wyo., during the 1970s. After moving to Idaho in 1980 they operated the Mountain View Market in Clark Fork, and later two video rental stores in Clark Fork and in Noxon, Mont.
In the 1990s he worked for PSNI in Sandpoint, then at Elk Mountain Academy in Clark Fork. Several of the young men who attended the academy continued to stay in touch with Joe after his retirement.
Joe enjoyed gardening as well as his hobbies of woodworking and photography. He and his wife celebrated their 50th anniversary on Sept. 3 at a surprise party hosted by their daughter and son-in-law, Shari and Greg Hoskins.
He is survived by his wife and best friend, Grace; three daughters and sons-in-law, Angela and David Talmadge of Sussex, N.J., Valerie and Larry Knapp of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Shari and Greg Hoskins of Clark Fork. He was especially proud of his eight grandchildren: James Hanak Jr. and wife, Claudia, of Cary, N.C., Jessica Zeek and husband, Barry, of Sparta, N.J., Luke Talmadge of Sussex, N.J., Daniel Knapp of Coeur d’Alene, Benjamin Knapp of Moscow, Idaho, Cody Wilder, Leanna Wilder, and Joe Hoskins of Clark Fork; and a great-grandson Austin Hanak of North Carolina.
Joe was preceded in death by a daughter, Jennifer Marie Fey; his parents; and his brother, Robert Fey Jr.
There will be no service following his cremation as his family recently gathered with him in a celebration of his life, and their love for him.
Joe once said he hoped that this saying would describe his life … “A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove … but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.” He was.
Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Joseph’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.