Joseph Greenbach Jr.

1929 - 2017

Joseph Greenbach, Jr.

Jun 2, 1929 - Dec 4, 2017

A true gentleman passed away December 4, 2017 from a prolonged illness surrounded by his beloved wife, Nancy Greenbach and loving family. A dedicated family man, husband, father, step father, grandfather, great grandfather, father in law, brother in law, uncle, godfather and brother to the extended Greenbach family. A great story teller, he held court with all recounting family history, business successes and blunders, plus more always with detail, clarity and humor.
Joe was born and raised in San Francisco until age 13 when he moved to Atherton with his parents and siblings regretting that he never got to attend Lowell High School in SF. At Sequoia high school in Redwood City, he was a natural athlete playing on Championship football and basketball teams. He attended Menlo Jr. College then earned a basketball scholarship to Santa Clara University. He played Point Guard for Santa Clara University Championship Bronco basketball team all three years traveling all over the US. Joe was inducted into four Basketball Hall of Fames: Santa Clara University, San Mateo County, Menlo Jr. College and Sequoia High School.
After Santa Clara University graduation, he was a 1950 Round 8 draft pick by the Professional Basketball Team, Washington Capitols, which he declined to start a noteworthy career in the family business. Simultaneously, he was selected to play with the local Stewart Chevrolet Basketball team coached by Hank Luisetti joining with other notable basketball players from Stanford, USF, Cal, Santa Clara, Oregon State. Out of the 50 AAU competitive teams, the Stewart Chevrolet team won the 1951 AAU Basketball Championship and missed playing in the Helsinki Olympics by the loss of one game. Joe was also selected to play with the AAU All Stars on a national and international tour.
Upon joining the family real estate development business, Belle Haven Realty, Joe helped build over 3,000 homes in San Mateo County and oversaw operations of their Hotels in Oakland, San Francisco, Tahoe, Los Angeles, Del Mar and Seattle. He moved to Hawaii to build the first high rise hotel in Walkiki Beach, the Walkiki Biltmore. He and his older brother built the Royal Towers on Russian Hill in San Francisco. It was among he first condominiums in the City and stands today as a hallmark of the family's development history. Belle Haven Realty, under Joe's leadership, continued to own and operate the Villa Hotel in San Mateo for 36 years. During that time, 96 rooms were added plus the purchase of the popular Villa Chartier and Lani Restaurants, Following the death of his father and older brother in the 70's, Joe served as President and CEO of Belle Haven Realty until his recent death.
Joe was highly respected in the community for his business acumen and ongoing successes. He was President and Board Member if the San Mateo Chamber of Commerce, received a lifetime award for starting the San Mateo County Convention and Vistor's Bureau serving as President and Board of Directors for many years, He received the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Easter Seal Society for Crippled Children and Adults of San Mateo County. He served on the Board of Trustees at Sacred Heart in Atherton for several years where his three daughters attended and served on the Board for the Service League of San Mateo County. He was a member of St. Pius Church and the San Francisco Olympic Club enjoying playing golf and dominos with his buddies. Joe continued participation in the annual Bay Area former basketball players and coaches groups and maintained his association in various Bay Area basketball player's groups.
In 1997, Joe married Nancy Greenbach from Texas and spent twenty wonderful years full of love and respect for one another. They traveled to their Dallas residence at the Crestpark in Highland Park to visit family and friends plus conducting business in Texas. Joe and Nancy felt blessed to be able to travel the world. New York City was a favorite destination visiting often for theatre, museums and dining Both were San Francisco Symphony Patrons.
Joe was preceded in death by his father and mother Joseph and Helen Greenbach, brother Bill Greenbach, sister, Kathryn Moore, son Jeff Greenbach, Sister in Law Patty Greenbach, Brothers in Law, Bill Moore and Dr William Kennett and first wife, Betty Greenbach. He is survived by his devoted wife, Nancy, Children, Dan Greenbach, Santa Rosa; Kim Jones (Brian) Los Altos; Mylie Greenbach, Fort Worth, Texas; Tami Adam (Jim) San Juan Bautista; Matt Mattox (Susan) Dallas, Texas; Jennifer Oines (Leif) Blanco Texas and 11 grandchildren; Weston Greenbach, Grace Greenbach, Kyle Adam, Danielle Adam Tuhy (Steve), Fletcher Adam, Joe Adam, Tom Jones, Mike Jones, Austin Mattox, Molly Mattox, Ellie Mattox and two great grandchildren Danika Tuhy and Jocelyn Joy Tuhy and his sister, Gloria Kennett plus many nieces and nephews. His family will miss his soft spoken manner, his love and guidance and the amazing example he set forth in both life and work. His many dear friends share our profound loss.
A Memorial Mass celebrating the life of Joseph Greenbach will be held at 1 pm December 19, 2017 at St. Pius Church, Redwood City with reception to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SCU Athletic Dept, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara 95053; Peninsula Volunteers, Inc, 800 Middle Avenue, Menlo Park 94027 or a charity of your choice.