Joseph Howard Rosenbaum

Joseph Howard Rosenbaum, beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on July 11, 2025, at the age of 85. Born on October 11, 1939, he was the youngest son of Leah and Jack Rosenbaum and a lifelong resident of Pensacola, Florida.

A graduate of Pensacola High School's Class of 1957, Joe began his working life at age 14 at his Uncle Morris Bearman's Army and Navy Surplus Store, earning $1 an hour. He later attended the University of Florida, where he pursued a business degree and joined the TEP fraternity.

In 1960, after college, Joe was drafted into the U.S. Army, completing basic training at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, and serving at Fort Carson, Colorado. In 1963, he and his then-wife Jenny welcomed their son, Maurice.

After completing his service, Joe returned to Pensacola to work alongside his father and older brother Gene at Southern Scrap Company and Direct Plumbing Supply. He then helped to develop a trash hauling operation, servicing shopping centers, hospitals, and commercial businesses throughout the area. He later added other businesses to the initial venture, which included: a transfer station, a waste paper recycling company, a medical waste incineration business, a portable toilet business, a business records destruction operation, and a plastic waste recycling division.

Joe's life took a joyful turn in 1973 when he met Faye Bubis on a blind date. They married on July 27, 1975, in a beautiful ceremony at The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida. With Faye came her daughter, Tina, whom Joe lovingly embraced as his own.

Joe was passionate about travel, exploring the world with Faye, her parents, their grandchildren, and close friends. He was deeply devoted to Israel and active in many Jewish and philanthropic organizations, including B'nai Israel Synagogue, United Jewish Appeal, and AIPAC. He was especially passionate about honoring Holocaust survivors and preserving their stories-culminating in the publication of My First Life, the biography of Henry Goldsmith, a Holocaust survivor. He was also a founding member of the "Divide by Eight," a cherished group of eight couples who shared decades of milestones, adventures, and lifelong friendship.

Joe also had the soul of an artist. He painted watercolors, created metal sculptures, and collected meaningful artifacts from his travels. His interests were wide-ranging: cars, motorcycles, boats, kites, photography, reading, fly-fishing, blowing giant soap bubbles and sweets. His warmth, wit, creativity and curiosity touched all who knew him.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Faye; his son, Maurice, and daughter-in-law, Tricia; their children, Allison, Michelle, and Laura; his daughter, Tina; and her children, Jakob, Marley Rose, and Hogan Hunter; and many nieces, nephews and cousins- all of whom he adored, and who adored him in return.

Services will be Sunday, July 13th at B'nai Israel Synagogue at 2PM with Rabbi Yehoshua Mizrachi officiating. Interment will be at B'nai Israel Cemetery. There will be a Live Stream for Mr. Rosenbaum Services on www.watersandhibbert.com.

Pallbearers will include Joe's grandchildren: Michelle, Allison and Laura Rosenbaum; Jakob, Marley Rose and Hogan Hunter.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to B'Nai Israel Synagogue.

To send CONDOLENCES please visit www. watersandhibbert.com

WATERS & HIBBERT FUNERAL HOME is in charge of arrangements.