Joseph Asip

Joseph Sullivan Asip

Resident of San Mateo

October 25, 1918November 14, 2010

Joe Asip, 92, died peacefully Sunday, Nov. 14 surrounded by loving family and friends. He was born and raised in Brooklyn NY, the youngest and last living of Kitty and Jim Asip's five children.

Joe was the star quarterback at St. John's Prep (1937), Brooklyn, NY and at Mount St. Mary's College (BS 1942), Emmitsburgh, MD where he joined their Hall of Fame in 1993.

During WWII, Joe served as 1st Lieutenant and bombardier on "Fascinatin' Fanny", a B-24, 15th Air Force, 455th Bomber Group, in Italy.

Joe's career in sales and sales management began with 22 years at the Vick Chemical Co beginning with a Midwest sales territory, then a district mgr position in St. Louis and later a division mgr position at Vicks HQ in Manhattan. Following Vicks Joe spent several years each at Pharmaco Corp., Para-chem and Brach Candy Co. Before the term "reinventing yourself" was popularized, Joe became a concierge at a midtown Manhattan luxury co-op where he transferred his sales skills into providing outstanding service. In 1993, Joe retired at 75.

Joe met his beloved wife Mary on a blind date in Memphis TN. They were married in 1948 and made their first home in St. Louis, where both of their children were born. After transfer to NY, Joe and Mary raised their children in Baldwin, where they made their home for 43 years. They loved their proximity to the inland waterway and most family leisure activities centered on the water and boating including hundreds of hours of water skiing.

Mary and Joe's cross-country move to San Mateo in 1999 could have traumatized them but they immediately got involved at their new home, the Gramercy on the Park, and new church, St. Bartholomew's. Joe was an active member of the VFW and American Legion and until 2008 worked as an Election Officer at the local polls.

Mary preceded Joe in death in April 2009. Joe is survived by his children Michael Asip and Elizabeth Asip Evans, his son in law David and grandchildren: Stephanie (Erik), Colin, Melissa, Grant and Emily and two great-grandchildren: Ezra and Meera. His grandson Brian predeceased him in 2006.

Joe's ready smile, quick wit and affable nature were appreciated by everyone; he made friends easily. His positive outlook got him through many ups and downs in life right up until the very last day when watching his last sunset Joe marveled: "It just doesn't get any better than this, does it?"

On Saturday, Nov 27, 2010 at 11:00AM a Memorial Mass and celebration of Joe's life will be held at St. Bartholomew's Catholic Church, Alameda de las Pulgas and Crystal Springs Rd., San Mateo. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Brian Evans Learning Disabilities Assistance Fund at Northeastern University, 716 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA 02120 or Sutter/VNA Hospice of San Mateo, 700 So Claremont, Suite 220, San Mateo, CA 94402.