4800 E Indian School Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85018
FESSLER, JOHN VINCENT
On Monday, November 30, 2020, John Vincent Fessler, loving husband and friend to so many, passed away at the age of 89. John was born on December 23, 1930 in Oakland, CA to John and Angela (McGrath) Fessler. He attended seminary at the age of 13 in Compton, CA, ordained in 1956 in the Claretian Order, and was blessed to have been a priest in the United States and Philippines for 30 years. John married Suzanne (Lasinski) on December 21, 1985 for 35 wonderful years, and his ministry was serving those affected by drug abuse and hospice care.
John, Suzanne and beloved Sonya their dog, traveled extensively in their humble beginnings with a motorcycle and tent, eventually adding a side car and later upgrading to a truck and camper for seeing the country and visiting their many friends and relatives. John won numerous medals, including Triathlons at many Senior Olympics events. He walked or rode his bicycle everywhere including the Los Olivos Senior Center where he enjoyed time spent with friends.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Angela, wife, Suzanne, sister, Angela Capobianco and brother, Thomas Fessler. He is survived by his sister, Alice Walls, sisters-in-law, Carol (Gregg) Johnson and Barbara Lasinski, brother-in-law Richard (Cinda) Lasinski, 5 nieces, 12 nephews, and many great nieces and nephews.
A beautiful life that came to an end,
he died as he lived, everyone’s friend.
In our hearts a memory will always be kept,
of one we loved and will never forget.
John will be laid to rest with Suzanne at St. Francis Cemetery. Due to Covid-19 the service is private but will be live-streamed on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at Noon at https://www.facebook.com/WhitneyMurphyFH/live/.
The recording will also be available for viewing at john-vincent-fessler.forevermissed.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Saint Mary’s High School, Phoenix, Arizona; Claretian Missionaries (American Province National Office); or Dominican Sisters of Mary (4597 Warren Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48105).
Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com.
Uncle John always enjoyed life with a smile. His engaging personality spread happiness to everyone. We are grateful for the times we spent visiting John and Suzanne along with Sonya. Reminiscing the past with John, he would fill in cherished memories of the family members. John always provided comfort to everyone and anyone. God Bless
I cannot believe John is gone. I know he spoke of his friends at the senior center and how he looked forward to his time playing pool and sharing stories.
I along with Bill was one of his pool playing buddies in Prescott. We had good times playing not only pool but who had bragging rights that day.
My wife ( Susie), daughter (Diane) and I will miss him and his great sense of humor.
I thanks John for his faith in people and his helping hand.
God has called his angel home.
Dan
Such a good friend and neighbor in Prescott for many years. Visited my home many evenings where we enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy together and he never departed without our reciting “The Lord’s Prayer”
together. John never met a stranger. He was always ready to help those in need. He will be sorely missed.
Quite a man influenced so many across the world never forget my uncle John took us all skiing to Mount Baldy he was quite an athlete to this day when I ski I think of him his spirit will always live on!!
Great guy. He boxed my dad and used to jump off the diving board and swim the entire pool with little hanging onto his neck.until I read this i never knew where I got my name. He used to take my mom skiing.
Little me hanging….onto him
John was a loving , wonderful and spiritual, with a wonderful smile and loved by all who know him.
My prayers and love to you as you RIP in His loving arms. ❤️
Oh john how was i to ever know when we cane back to Canada last year i would never see you or suzzane again. There are si many wonderful memories with you And yet so grateful for ron having spent time with you. When suzzane passed away. Ron’s highlight of coming to Arizona ,Playing golf with you. We enjoyed staying at Prescott. Going for walks etc. We will truely miss you. Love Ron andFlora Geissler ,your canadian cousins
I never expected John to go! His vibrance, his humor, his love of life was infectious. He was probably the most open minded, non-judgmental person I have ever known. His energy was boundless! He was the embodiment of spirituality and he loved God more than life itself.
Now God has taken His angel, John home. Those of us left behind are a little bewildered and at the same time grateful for having had John (and Suzanne) in our lives. He will never be forgotten!
Farewell, my beloved Uncle John,
You have lived a well-rounded life and experienced more than any other human can fathom.
As a past priest, you witnessed all of our joys and sorrows for the thousands of lives you have touched.
Growing up and having our mother as your sister we saw first hand how respected you were from the beginning.
As the years passed and we all kept growing and our lives changed. Your life was always been constant and consistent and committed to the ones you loved and the ones that needed love. The time you had was always mapped out to spend experiencing this world to its fullest.
As our hearts are touched and we keep living on just know your memories will always be in my mind and heart.
May God pour his love and goodness on all the families that are grieving your loss and always hold them close.
John will now be beside Suzanne & his family.
R.I.P.
Chris & Ellery Capobianco
John, You will be missed. You were such a fun loving , spiritual man. We so enjoyed all the time we had Golfing with you.
You showed us that God wants us to live our lives to the fullest. and to that we are truly Blessed.
Sorry you had to leave so soon. Heaven has an other new angel.
We thank God for having you in our lives.
Your Canadian Cousins,
Sharon & Ken Moen
I am so sorry to hear of John’s passing, sending my heartfelt condolences. I have known “Fr. John” from my very beginnings, he was a family friend and baptized me at a private ceremony at Our Lady of Guadalupe(La Habra) in 1961. I have fond memories of him visiting us over the years and always loved hearing of his adventures both during and post priesthood. He always remembered to check in on our family and offered prayers, humor and moral support when needed. He was a kind man and generous of spirit to all. He surely will be greeted by many friends and family with much joy in heaven. Wishing him and his family much peace.
I was so sorry to hear of John’s death. I met John about 50years ago in the Philippines. We were both new to the Philippines and were in language school learning the Visayan dialect. John learned the language must faster than the rest of us as he was so outgoing and practiced what he learned with everyone he met making many friends.. He never met a stranger.
Years later when I moved to Colorado I found that he was serving in St. Ann’s Parish which wasn’t far from where I live. I was lucky enough to meet Suzanne not long after they were married when they were visiting Colorado. What a delightful couple they were and I loved receiving their letter each Thanksgiving to hear of their current adventures.
I wish much peace to John’s family and joy in their memories of him. I’m thankful to have had John as a friend.