Joseph Gasper

Joseph J. Gasper, 82, passed away on March 11, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of leadership, family devotion, and community service. He was born on June 30, 1943, in Steubenville, Ohio, to Joseph John and Theresa Anna Marie Gasper. Joseph, “Joe”, graduated from The Ohio State University in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. That same year he began his career with Nationwide as a home office group insurance underwriter. Over the next 38 years, he held numerous leadership roles and played a key part in building Nationwide’s financial services business. In 1996, he was elected President, Chief Operating Officer, and Board Member of Nationwide Financial, Nationwide Life Insurance Company, and Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company. During Joe’s career, he championed Nationwide’s transformation into a major provider of retirement savings, annuities, pension plans, and life insurance products. Helping take Nationwide Financial Services public and ringing the opening bell on Wall Street were among his proudest professional moments. Joe took great satisfaction in mentoring employees and watching them advance in their careers. Beyond his corporate career, Joe was deeply involved in professional and civic organizations. He served as Chairman of the American Council of Life Insurers and President of the Association of Ohio Life Insurance Companies. He held board positions with the Life Insurance Marketing Association, Life Office Management Association, and the Insurance Marketplace Standards Association. In his community, Joe helped lead the boards of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, BalletMet, Otterbein University, and The Ohio State University Foundation and Alumni Association. Additionally, he contributed to the Circleville City School Foundation, was a member of St. Brigid of Kildare Catholic Church, and was a passionate Ohio State Buckeye fan. An avid golfer, Joe was a member of Muirfield Village Golf Club of Dublin, Ohio, Scioto Country Club of Upper Arlington, Ohio, Royal Poinciana Golf Club of Naples, Florida, and a founding member of Hideaway Golf Club in La Quinta, California. He is survived by his wife Jill Hoffman Gasper; his sons, John Joseph Gasper of Chelan, Washington, and Jay John Gasper of Worthington, Ohio; and his cherished grandchildren, Jarrod Robert (Melissa) Gasper, Julia Gasper (Wyatt) Roach, Jacob Christopher Gasper, and Joseph John Gasper. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law, William Andrew (Norma) Hoffman III and John David (Deborah) Hoffman; nephew and nieces William Andrew (Lindsay) Hoffman IV, Kelsey Hoffman (Ivon) Samuel, Holly Hoffman (Jeremy) Kirkpatrick, Keeley Sims Hoffman, Brooke Hoffman (Michael) Boone, and numerous cousins and great-grandchildren. Joseph will be remembered for his leadership, generosity, and dedication to family, colleagues, and community. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, March 30, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Brigid of Kildare Catholic Church, 7179 Avery Road, Dublin, Ohio 43017, with visitation from 10:00 a.m. to the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Joe’s memory be made to the David E. Schuller, MD Endowment Fund for the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery (Fund # 646597) at The OSU James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. Gifts may be made online through the link below or by mail at OSU Foundation, P.O. Box 736096, Chicago, IL, 60673-6096. https://www.giveto.osu.edu/makeagift/?fund=646597. Arrangements entrusted to Schoedinger Dublin.