The West Seattle Herald has gotten reports and inquiries about the passing of the owner of The Swinery, Joey Brewer. The store was closed on Saturday with a sign noting a "family emergency." His death was confirmed by owner James Dillon.

Brewer was part of the original staff when the specialty butcher shop opened in 2009. After some personnel changes and ownership alterations, Brewer came to be a co-owner.

Dillon himself, speaking from Florida on a trip, said, "Joey was bigger than life, and was a wonderful person. He enjoyed living in all of its variations. Even the challenges were just something to learn from and do. He was introspective. He might not like an idea I but he'd think about it. He wasn't afraid of ideas."

Dillon said he had no details on Brewer's death but noted that he would find out more when he returns on Sunday evening.

The apprentice program at the Swinery is now thrown into higher relief as Dillon said, "The mission carries on."

He was very interested in education and taught numerous students at South Seattle Community College as the Herald covered here.

No mention of Brewer's passing has yet been posted on Swinery site or Facebook page.

His history as stated in his biography from the Swinery website states:

"A native of Washington state, Joseph Brewer discovered his passion for cuisine
during his formative years in New York City, cooking in various kitchens throughout one of the world’s greatest food cities. Upon returning to Seattle in
his late twenties, the young chef encountered personal setbacks that threatened to temporarily derail his culinary dreams. Ever the fighter, Joey joined the renowned FareStart Culinary Arts Job Training Program in 2007 where he received invaluable training and support, as well as the opportunity to work alongside celebrated Seattle chefs. Joey went on to find success in a supervisory position at The 5 Spot (a Chow Foods restaurant), handling everything from menu development, quality control and food preparation to scheduling, ordering and inventory. In 2009, Joey joined West Seattle’s Jak’s Grill as the lead line cook where his commitment to producing the highest quality food led him to The Swinery, where he is now the head butcher and co-owner."