Jon Hepner, a pioneer of the New Jersey food truck scene, dies at 57

If you own a food truck in New Jersey, odds are Jonathan Hepner helped you out.

Whether you needed assistance to launch your business or help to keep it going, whether you were looking for a qualified electrician or a quality commercial oven, Hepner was the man to call. Hepner, who was known as Jon and lived in Verona, owned one of the first gourmet food trucks in New Jersey — The Thai Elephant — and he was the founder and president of the New Jersey Food Truck Association.

A pioneer.

Hepner died on Nov. 9 while on vacation with his family in Disney World. He was 57.

Food truck operators throughout the state were shocked and devastated by the sudden death of Hepner, a supportive, innovative and beloved figure.

To honor him, some are going to park their trucks outside the Robert J. O'Toole Community Center in Cedar Grove, where his memorial service will be held Friday evening, to provide refreshments for the attendants.

Others will line up their trucks to show their support for the man who always supported them. The New Jersey Food Truck Association has also started a GoFund Me account to help his wife, Pupay, and 6-year-old daughter, Skylar. And in the spring, the Food Truck Association is planning to hold a memorial food truck festival in his honor, his brother David Hepner said.

"It's mind-blowing, freaking me out how much Jon has done for and how much he is loved by food truck owners," said David, who lives in Nebraska. He said he has heard from so many food truck operators telling him about his brother's generosity and selflessness. "He had a massive impact on the community."

"I wouldn't be where I am today without Jon," said Dan DeMiglio, owner of popular Callahan's hotdog food truck. "Jon was my Google before I could Google. Jon played a huge role in getting many of the currently existing food trucks on the road and navigating the red tape, gray areas and challenges we all face as an industry."

Dean Hodecker, owner of Good Food Truck, a kitchen on wheels based in Monmouth County, which serves over-the-top burgers, loaded fries and unique sides, too was aided by Hepner.

"He introduced me to the food truck world," said Hodecker, today the treasurer of the NJ Food Truck Association. "He was the main point of contact for anyone wanting to start a food truck."

Born in Crane, Texas, Hepner grew up in Rochester, New York, and graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. He had a career in technical training and communications before he left it in 2011 to launch a food truck business with his wife. "It was her dream to have a restaurant," Hodecker said.

Hepner himself converted a tool truck that they had bought into a working food truck. Three years later, the couple opened a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Verona called Aroy-D (Thai for "very yummy") Thai Elephant. Pupay, a Thai native, will continue to helm the restaurant, Dave said.

Hepner was a huge sports fan, his brother said. "He loved the Yankees and Dolphins," he said. "He ran fantasy football league. He ran a March Madness pool every year, He had Super Bowl parties. He will be sorely missed."

In addition to his wife, daughter and brother, he is is survived by his son, Shadrach, his older brother Nate, his sister, Rachel Potvin, and his mother, Sharon Oakeson.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Jon Hepner, New Jersey Food Association president, dies at 57