Joseph (Joe) Eugene Buchel

Aug. 11, 1954 - Oct. 28, 2023

Joe was called to God and passed away unexpectedly and peacefully in his warm, loving home on October 28, 2023.

To those who knew Joe outside of the family, he was a dedicated restauranteur and chef, carrying on his family's tradition. Joe's grandfather and great grandfather were chefs for the Prince of Liechtenstein. Upon immigrating to the United States, Joe's father Walter Buchel opened a series of restaurants in the Milwaukee area, one of them being Buchel's Colonial House. Joe, with his wife Susan, gained ownership of the restaurant in 1984. He was a chef who would welcome guests back into the kitchen to individually select their choice cut steak and warmly greet tables of regular customers. Though Joe would never admit this due to his humility, Joe left behind a legacy. The Buchel name still exists as a restaurant staple in so many former patrons' and community members' minds, and what is even greater is that this remembrance is carried out through his children as they continue to practice and follow in their father's footsteps. They continue his legacy of ancestral appreciation and his culinary love, ambition, and curiosity.

In addition to dedicating himself to the family restaurant, Joe devoted himself to his family, both close and at large. He loved nothing more than to take a reprieve and share the world with his wife and children- taking them to the home country to connect to their roots or experience the islands where he felt most free. He was proud of his heritage in Liechtenstein and also embraced his persona of "Island Joe" where he loved nothing more than the beach and a sunset. He loved to host and entertain family and his children's friends, wanting to enlighten as well as learn as much as possible from whoever came to the table. Following retirement, he enjoyed admiring and taking care of the backyard song birds, crossword puzzles, watching Packer games and Jeopardy, taking care of his beloved cats Raymond and Juma, and spending time with his family through cooking or playing rummy and cribbage together. He also greatly enjoyed a Sunday road-trip on back country roads to find a great burger and Bloody Mary.

To those who knew Joe more closely, he had a hard exterior but was a giant teddy bear at heart. He loved so much, cared so much, and could cry at the drop of a hat. As many have said, "He gave the best hugs." He was an amazing husband, father, father to those who weren't his children, son, brother, step-grandpa, uncle, friend, chef, family man, business man, funny man, empathetic man, serious man. He was dynamic and all encompassing, having so many layers.

Joe is survived by those he loved and those that loved him; those to name are countless. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years Susan Buchel (nee John), children Megan and Christopher Buchel and Christopher's partner Katie Beck-Esmay; sister Lori Hubing, her husband Jeff Hubing, and their children Ben and Danielle; step-grandchildren Anika, Felix, Greta, and Liesl Duckwall; closest Liechtenstein family Alois and Annie Buchel and their children Michaela, Philipp, and Patrick; family-in-law- Steve and Eric John; Linda, TJ, Brandon Winters, and family; Cindy, Carl, Bryan Scholz and family; William and Kathy John; other close "family" Joe and Sepp Paczelt, Jessica and Mikey Prahl, Dave and Pattie Paulkner and their children Justin and Chris, Jane and Jeff Grady and their children Amanda, Nicole, Matt, and Sam.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Irmgard Buchel, best friends Steve Ehlers and Janine Paczelt, as well as many other loved family and friends.

The family has chosen to delay services as Joe disliked funerals being associated with the holidays and also hated winter. Instead, they have decided to honor Joe at the time of what would have been his 70th birthday with Jimmy Buffet-worthy summer weather.

A Celebration of Joe's life will take place on Sunday, August 18, 2024 at Lime Kiln Park Pavilion, 2020 Green Bay Rd., Grafton, in which the Buchel family will provide some of Joe's favorite Caribbean fare. All are welcome- we all know that Joe, in addition to a service, would want a celebratory gathering filled with excellent food, love, and laughs. Visitation will begin at 11 AM, with a brief service planned at 1PM. The party will continue until 6PM.

In lieu of flowers, Joe requested donations to the MACC Fund, Stars and Stripe Honor Flight, or Saint Francis Borgia School.

Vater, bis wir uns im Himmel wiedersehen. Wir werden dich vermissen. Wir lieben dich.

"If there is a heaven for me, I am sure that it has a beach attached to it." - Jimmy Buffett

Eernisse Funeral Home is serving the family. For online condolences and future details, please visit www.eernissefuneralhome.com .