Joseph Patrick Fay

Joseph Patrick Fay

Marion

Joseph Patrick Fay, 63, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, at UnityPoint-St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The family will greet friends from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion, with an additional visitation one hour prior to the service. A private family inurnment will take place on a later date.

Joe was born on Dec. 16, 1959, in Cedar Rapids, the son of John “Jack” and Dorothy (Palmer) Fay. He was a 1978 graduate of Washington High School and went on to attend Iowa State University, where he earned his B.S. in Construction Engineering in 1985.

He started working for Rinderknecht Associates in 1992 as a project engineer/project manager. Over his 31- year career with Rinderknecht, he advanced in the company, ending as Senior Vice President of Operations. During this time, he enjoyed working with office and field personnel on the Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust buildings in Cedar Rapids and Marion, the AEGON North Point buildings, the Cedar Rapids Municipal Police Station, the Helen G. Nassif YMCA, New Covenant Bible Church, Mercy Medical Center additions, and many more projects.

On April 29, 1989, he was united in marriage to Julie Anne Runestad at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Boone, Iowa. They loved raising their two children and dogs in an old farmhouse in Marion. Joe was devoted to his family, and loved spending time with them and attending every school event, for sports and musical activities. When not working or attending events with his kids, he could be found hanging out in “The Coop.”

Joe actively served his community through Meals on Wheels, flood protection and cleanup at Mercy Medical Center in 2008, and flood protection in 2016. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Joe served St. Joseph School by coaching various years of boys’ football and basketball and helping to install the new gym floor. He also coached Marion Rec girls’ basketball.

He is remembered for his love of the Iowa State Cyclones, especially the men’s basketball and football teams. He loved all sports, and particularly enjoyed watching pro golf and NASCAR. Joe was happiest when he was outdoors, whether it was mowing the lawn on his riding lawn mower, playing golf, or hunting with his dogs.

Joe is survived by his wife of 34 years, Julie Fay; son, Michael Fay of Springfield, Ore.; daughter, Callie Fay of Ames; grandson, Malcolm Fay of Springfield, Ore.; three sisters, Jeanne Fay of Hampton, Cheryl Fay of Marion, and Julie Fay of Marion; one brother, John (Anna) Fay of Kansas City, Mo.; numerous nieces and nephews; and many in-laws he loved as immediate family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mary Eagen; and his father-in-law, Jay Runestad.

Joe will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Memorials in Joe’s memory may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter at 317 Seventh Ave. SE, Unit 402, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401.

Please share a memory of Joe at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.