Joseph (A.) Greene

Joseph A. Greene, 88, of Avon, passed away on Tuesday (October 21, 2008). Born in Newark, NJ, Joseph was the son of the late Morris and Frieda (From) Greenberg. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1942 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Commissioned as Ensign one year later, Joseph served on minesweepers along the Atlantic coast and later in the war as Ship Operations Officer at the naval base in Dutch Harbor, Alaska. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Lieutenant in 1945. After the war, Joseph worked at Bendix Aviation where he specialized in meteorological instruments and developed a life-long interest in weather science. He also worked extensively in the automobile industry and became the owner and president of Greene Ford Sales of Torrington in 1959. Joseph also served as a director of the Connecticut Automobile Dealers Association, and as president and treasurer of the Torrington and Northwestern Automobile Dealers Association. He operated the Ford dealership until his retirement in 1985. In retirement, Joseph traveled extensively with his wife, Thelma, and worked as an arbitrator with the Better Business Bureau and as a volunteer Medicare benefits advisor for the town of Avon. He was a member of Beth El Temple, West Hartford. He is survived by his beloved wife, Thelma (Weisinger) Greene; his three children: Alan S. Greene of Ruidoso, NM; Marilyn G. Rigby and her husband James of West Hartford; and Kenneth J. Greene and his wife Debbie of Simsbury; and nine grandchildren: Jeffrey, Shana and Julie Rigby and Annie, John, Sam, Jack, Miley and Jesse Greene. Joseph was predeceased by his parents and six brothers and sisters. Services will be held on Friday, October 24, at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of the Weinstein Mortuary, 640 Farmington Ave., Hartford with Rabbi James Rosen officiating. Interment will follow in the Beth El Temple Cemetery, Avon. A memorial period will be observed by the family at his home, 4 Acorn Glen, Avon, on Sunday, October 26 from 2-6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. For further information, directions, or to share memories of Joseph with his family, please visit online at www. weinsteinmortuary.com