Joseph G. Pfister, 79, of North Haven, died peacefully at his home on June 14, with his family by his side.  He was the husband of 43 years to Judy Cascio. Mr. Pfister was born on Jan. 8, 1933, son of the late Sebastian and Lena Traub Pfister.  He attended Notre Dame High School of West Haven and was captain of the 1951 team, bringing the first trophy to the school by playing in the private school basketball tournament in Madison Square Garden as a preliminary game to the New York Knickerbockers. He was chosen athlete of the year. 

Mr. Pfister began college at Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana, and played three years of varsity basketball at St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas, where he was awarded the most valuable player.  He also played basketball for many years in both city and amateur circles. 

Mr. Pfister earned a master’s degree in education from New Haven State Teachers College and a sixth year degree from Bridgeport University.  He retired in 1992 after 36 years as an English teacher at West Haven High School, where he also was a basketball coach and business advisor for the West Whims Magazine.  He was honored as Teacher of the Year in 1992 by the West Haven Lodge of Elks. 

Mr. Pfister was a member of the Elks and the Knights of Columbus, was past president of the Millbrook Association, and had been a member of the U.S. Army Reserves.  By hobby, Mr. Pfister was an avid sailor. 

Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons, Joseph Pfister and Marc Pfister and Marc’s wife Stephanie.  He is also survived by his brother Albert and Albert’s wife Jane of Norwalk, and his sister Anne and her husband Ronald Kirchoff of Gaithersburg, Maryland.  He was predeceased by a sister, Marie Birmingham, and two brothers, Paul Pfister and the Rev. Carl Pfister, O. Carm.

His funeral procession left the North Haven Funeral Home on June 19 for a mass of Christian burial at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. Burial was in All Saints Cemetery.  www.northhavenfuneral.com