People in Places
Joe Grande:
Always Giving Back by Holly Stupak
At 83 years old, Marple Township Health Inspector Joe Grande will tell you that age is just a number. He loves his job and has no plans to retire. “What I love about the job is meeting new people, talking to and helping them,” said Joe. ”And l love keeping busy because even though I’m almost 84, I feel 24.” For the past 10 years, Joe has been responsible for the issuance of permits, notices, certificates and orders as well as making inspections to determine conformance with applicable codes and ordinances. He performs housing and pool inspections and also coordinates community service. Because Newtown Township doesn’t have a full-time Health Inspector, they also use Joe’s expertise. He has adapted well to all the recent changes to his job due to the pandemic. His department shortened their hours, and he could only go into homes and buildings that were empty. “Although we’ve had to make changes like wearing masks on the job, I just continue to do my job and keep a positive attitude,” he said. Joe came to the United States from Cuba in 1946, when he was only 9 years old. He and his mother, a clothing designer, left Cuba and settled in the Hell’s Kitchen section of New York City, a neighborhood rich with diversity and interesting people. Joe’s father, a doctor who was researching leprosy, stayed back in Cuba while Joe and his mom came to make a life in the US. Joe attended St. Patrick’s Military Academy and Aviation High School in NYC. Riding the subway to school, playing ball with
Joe Grande (L) and Joe Romano (R) of Marple Township’s Code Enforcement Dept. Photo courtesy of Joe Romano
his friends at 36th & 9th Streets near the Lincoln Tunnel, and going to Coney Island for Nathan’s hot dogs are some of Joe’s fondest memories of that time. When Joe was 17 and “feeling a little lost and looking for discipline,” he joined the Army and served for five years. He received a BA from the United States Armed Forces Institute and served in the Navy for 25 years. “Serving our country is a privilege that I’ll never forget,” said Joe. “I remember the guys we served with and think about them a lot. There are only a few of us still around, and when we get together we get a little emotional thinking about all of the guys. We drink a few beers, and thank God that we live in this great country. God bless my family, God bless the Navy, and God bless America!” Joe said that by joining the military, he was able to see the world. “I couldn’t believe a kid like me from New York was able to experience places like Turkey and Greece!” An art lover, he
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
July 2020
