“Joe was the backbone of a lot of what the Stanley Commercial Club did. He cared about Stanley, and he put all his energy behind everything he did.””

Dean Tinjum, longtime Stanley businessman

Former Stanley Republican publisher Joe Fazendin passed away Thursday, March 16 at the age of 83.

1896. Joseph Fazendin purchased the paper from the Bloom family in 1968, making him only the third owner of The Stanley Republican in its first 72 years. It was started by W.H. Bridgman in 1896. Fazendin previously owned the Fulda (Mn.) Free Press before moving to Stanley.

Fazendin was actively involved in the Stanley community over the years and was an integral member of the Stanley Commercial Club, the forerunner to the Stanley Area Chamber of Commerce.

“Joe was the backbone of a lot of what the Stanley Commercial Club did,” remembered longtime Stanley businessman Dean Tinjum. “He cared about Stanley, and he put all his energy behind everything he did.”

Joe and wife, Barb, sold the paper in 2004. He commented at the time, “It’s been a great 35-1/2 years. We’ve appreciated being a part of the Stanley-Boyd community.”

Under the watchful eye of Fazendin, the Republican printing and publishing operation grew steadily. He decided when he turned 65, it was time to sell the newspaper.

Funeral services for Fazendin were Monday morning at the Plombon Funeral Home. A full obituary appears in this edition of the Stanley Republican.