Joseph John Metzger

Joseph John Metzger fell asleep in the Lords arms Monday, surrounded by his loving family. Joe was born on February 22, 1964 to Norbert and Patricia Metzger. He went to school at OLPH, where the Metzger family made many lifelong connections. Joe graduated from St. Johns Jesuit High School in 1982. He married his loving wife, Dana Sawyer, on August 12, 1989. Joe and Dana shared 25 years of marriage and gave life to four wonderful children John, Mark, Kevin and Kelly. Working with his brother, Tom, Joe spent the last thirty years working in and leading the family-owned business, Metzgers Printing and Mailing. After taking ownership of the company in 1996, Joe fostered unprecedented and consistent growth. He was a nationally known leader and consultant in the rapidly changing printing industry. Metzgers has been a rising member of the industrys top 400 printers ever since being featured in the 2008 edition of Printing Impressions. Joe was always looking for his next challenge and excited about achieving results. Recognized as a visionary, he was inducted into the Printing Industries of America Hall of Fame in 2010. And under his leadership, Metzgers received The Better Business Bureau Torch Award for excellence in business ethics. Joe helped grow the company by applying his positive attitude, creative thinking, unmatched energy and innovation. He loved every aspect of the business, but he was especially happy with how much he was able to impact the people who work for the company. Joe referred to his staff as his work family. Joe will always be remembered for his hugs and caring approach. He loved that he had many titles: Husband, Dad, Son, Brother, Coach, Friend, Biggest Fan, Idea Guy, Entrepreneur, Leader, Cheerleader and many others. Joe enjoyed public speaking, motivational writing, and embracing thought-provoking topics that were often difficult to discuss or share. Joe was all about loving to live and living to love. Through his blog, Caring Bridge, he was able to share his journey, which he sometimes referred to as his battle mode. People from all over the country were touched by his inspiring words. With the blog, he also expressed his appreciation for everyones support by sharing his energy for life and a strong belief in enjoying every day to its fullest. Joes life was one filled with faith and inspiration. His favorite bible verse was Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. He had a great gift for sharing fellowship with others and creating a bond with people quickly. Joe loved coaching his kids through various sports. He was active in the kids schools at St. Joan of Arc, Lial, St. Joes Sylvania and St. Francis de Sales High School. He was always excited to cheer them on whenever they were on the field, the court, the course, or in the pool. He was also an active supporter of CYO Athletics in Toledo and the community that surrounded it. Joe loved spending time on his boat with friends and family, too. He always started his blessings and prayers of thanks with a family first mentality. People always will remember Joe for his big smile, his concern for others, and his loving heart. These are three inspiring quotes that Joe lived by and shared with the ones he loved. 1.Would the child you were be proud of the person you are? 2.Help everyone in life get what they want, and youll have everything you need. 3.Everything I need to know, I learned in Kindergarten. Joe was preceded in his death by his father, Norbert Metzger, and his brother, Richard Metzger. He is survived by his amazing wife Dana; their loving children - John, Mark, Kevin and Kelly; his mother Patricia Metzger; his sisters Cathy Ken Plante and Connie Jim Flahie; his brother Tom Anita Metzger; sisters-in-law Marilyn Metzger and Sherry Steven Timofeev; his mother-in-law Linda Martin Vernon Snow; nieces and nephews - Adam and Tony Metzger, Christopher Stephanie Plante, Sean Natalie and Ryan Flahie, Kerry Daniel Stoots, Bradley, Alexander and Stephanie Timofeev; and many friends who Joe considered family. Friends may visit the family on Thursday from 1-9 PM at Ansberg-West Funeral Home 3000 W. Sylvania Ave. Funeral Services will begin on Friday with prayers at the funeral home at 12:15 PM followed by Mass of the Resurrection at 1:00 PM at St. Joseph Catholic Church Sylvania. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. Arrangements by Walker Funeral Home 419-841-2422. Condolences may be shared with the family at walkerfuneralhomes.com. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, friends and family consider a donation to the Toledo CYO/Joe Metzger Memorial; 1933 Spielbusch Ave. Toledo, OH 43604. This fund will support charitable activities important to youth athletics in Toledo.