Joseph M. Bassett, age 79, a well known and respected area businessman died June 6, 2012, in his Sylvania home surrounded by his loving family. He was born to Joseph and Rose Bassett in Toledo, OH. He was an Army veteran who served honorably during the Korean War. Joe along with his wife Pat, owned and operated Bassett’s Health Food Stores from 1969 to the present. Joe was trained and certified in several fields including Polarity, Iridology, Massage Therapy, Reiki, Applied Kinesiology, Nemenhah Medicine Man, and Nutritional Education. Joe was also a Certified Instructor in Touch for Health, Iridology and Massage Therapy. He became a Naturopathic Medical Doctor (NMD), and a Doctor of Machanotherapy (DM). He was a founding member of the National Institute of Nutritional Education, President of the Mid American Health Assoc., Chairman of Citizens for Health and a National Health Freedom Board Member. Joe was a talk show host on WSPD for many years with his program “Nutritionally Speaking.” He also published numerous articles and taught many classes and seminars. Joseph Bassett was a pioneer, championing the rights for health freedoms. One of his biggest accomplishments was to co-author DSHEA with Senators Hatch and Harkin in 1994. This bill has continued to protect health freedom at the highest level. Without this bill we would all be unable to purchase vitamins, mineral, supplements, herbs, etc without a prescription. Without the passage of this bill we would have fallen under the auspices of Codex and our country would be a different place. Joe attended Devilbiss High School, The Ohio State University and the University of Toledo. He was an outstanding wrestler in high school and college and an accomplished ballroom dancer. Joe enjoyed playing tennis, badminton, bridge, golf and attending the opera. He was a great friend and competitor to all who knew him. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Patricia Bassett (Martin); children, Joseph, Jr., Charmaine Bassett Trimm (Mark) and Sabrina Early (Jeff); brother, James Bassett; seven grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Gerald Bassett. Visitation will be held Sunday, June 10, 2012, from 2:00 to 9:00 p.m. with the service at 7 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave., Toledo, OH. 419-841-2422. Private burial is at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park.
Published in The Toledo Blade from June 8 to June 9, 2012.