Joseph Spinner (1947 - 2013)

Hershey Restaurateur and Hotelier Joseph G. Spinner, former chef/owner of Spinner's Inn & Restaurant died Christmas Day, he was 86.

The landmark Chocolate Avenue business in Hershey included both an inn and restaurant. The restaurant was originally known as Spinner's Parisian when opened by Joe's father in 1947. Joe, along with his wife Pat, operated Spinner's for 50 years until they retired in 1997.

Enlisting in the Army after graduation from Hershey High School in 1944, Joe attained the rank of Sergeant in the Ninth Traffic Regiment, Third Army and was an observer to the Nuremberg Trials, most notable for the prosecution of prominent members of the political, military, and economic leadership of Nazi Germany.

As a teenager, Joe worked as bellman and was once a caddie for Ben Hogan at the Hotel Hershey. Joe lived most of his life in Hershey, moving from Montclair, NJ with his family at the age of 3 in 1930. Known as someone who was never without a joke to tell, Joe was well known in the community and belonged to numerous organizations, including: SKOL International, PA Restaurant Association, Knights of Columbus (4th Degree), Hershey Historical Society and St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church. Joe was a skilled amateur cartoonist, and often produced cartoons for publication in his neighborhood association paper. Additionally, Joe enjoyed travel, coin and stamp collecting, reading and sports.

Joe was predeceased by his father, William Spinner and his mother Isabella Smyth Spinner. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Pat Spinner and their 5 children, Patrice (Philip) Young of Cornwall; Ann Spinner of Hershey; William (Catherine) Spinner of Larchmont, NY; Kathleen (Michael) Greenblatt of Lancaster; and Cynthia (Mark) Rice of Palmyra. Although known simply as Joe to most who knew him, as a devoted family man and grandfather, Joe was also affectionately known as Papa Joe, PePa, & Grandpa to 16 grandchildren: Madeline, Rebecca, Alex, Joseph, Hannah, Rebecca, Genevieve, Christina, Daniel, Alexander, Jayson, Megan, Alessandra, Eric, Caroline and Katarina.

Friends will be received on Monday, December 30th from 9:00 AM till 11:30 AM in the Hoover Funeral Home, Rt. 422 and Lucy Ave., Hershey followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in the St. Joan of Arc Church, 359, W. Areba Ave., Hershey at 12 noon. Interment will be private in the Hershey Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice or the Sacred Heart of Jesus Building Fund.

Source: http://obits.pennlive.com/obituaries/pennlive/obituary.aspx?n=joseph-g-spinner&pid=168811580