Joseph F. Greipp

Joseph F. Greipp

Joseph F. Greipp, completed his complex and arduous journey, with Alzheimers Disease on April 14, 2012. Accompanying him through his long goodbye was his loving wife, of 47 years, Mary, and his children and their families: Mary Jo Ervin h. Tim; Annelise, and Greta. Jolene Bauer h. Peter; Nicholas, and Elizabeth Joseph M. w. Rebecca.

Joseph F Greipp graduated from St. Joseph's Prep; St. Joseph's University; and Temple University. He is a veteran of the US Marine Corps. He was a member of Vesper Boat Club's Senior Elite Men's Rowing Team 1956-1962. He was a seasoned international rowing competitor with a Gold Medal from the Pan American Games. In 1981 he was honored with membership in the Chapel of the Four Chaplains Legion of Honor (1981) in recognition of his selfless service to all people regardless of race, creed, ethnicity or religious beliefs. Joseph was a long time language educator and rowing coach at St. Joseph's Prep and Drexel University. In 1984 he was recruited to select, train and coach a team to represent the United States in the International Dragon Boat competition in Hong Kong. He took the first official US team to Hong Kong, June 1984, where the team placed 2nd (silver medal) out of 30 entrants in the prestigious international event. Over the years there have been several eight oared rowing shells dedicated and named in Joe's honor. On April 21, 2012 the Drexel University rowing alumni will be christening a new varsity eight shell and naming it 'Joe Greipp' at Boat House Row on Kelly Drive in Philadelphia. This will be followed by a 'Memorial Row-By' on the Schuylkill River in his honor. In later years Joseph worked and researched in the area of exercise physiology and maximizing performance improvement. Joe lived his life, true to his beliefs. He was a strong man of great integrity, compassion, understanding and dignity. He always had time to listen to those who needed him.

Relatives and friends of Joseph's family are invited to his viewing and visitation 7:00 to 9:00 PM Wednesday evening and 9:00 to 10:00AM Thursday at The Moorestown Memorial Home, 334 Chester Avenue (Corner of Central Ave.), Moorestown, NJ. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 AM Thursday at Our Lady Of Good Counsel Church, 42 W. Main St., Moorestown, NJ. In lieu of flowers the family requests prayers and donations to the Robert A. Winters Arboretum at Meadow Lakes, 300 Etra Road, Hightstown, NJ 08520.