5 minute read
Joe Grande: Always Giving Back
"People in Places" feature 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.
Joe Grande (L) and Joe Romano (R) of Marple Township’s Code Enforcement Dept.
Photo courtesy of Joe Romano
Joe Grande 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 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.
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 got to visit the Guggenheim and other museums in Europe. “I love Picasso, and every time I look at one of his paintings, I feel something different,” he said. “I believe the more your mind grows, the more your imagination grows.”
Joe and Arleen Grande with their large and loving family (not included are a son-in-law, two grandsons and one great-grandson)
Photo courtesy of Joe Grande
Joe met his wife Arleen, whom he calls “Queenie,” in New York. They got married in 1962. Arleen was from West Philadelphia, so they decided to move to the Philadelphia area, to raise a family. After living in Upper Darby for a few years and after their first child was born, they moved to Broomall and have been here for almost 57 years. Joe and Arleen raised their five children here: Dean, Daren, Dana, Elana, and Lisa, all of whom graduated from Marple Newtown High. They still live locally except for Dean who lives in San Diego, giving Joe and Arleen an excuse to take trips to California. And they are blessed with 10 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson. When Joe’s kids were growing up, he was very involved in the community and coached the Marple Junior Tigers and South Marple Little League for many years.
Joe was also a mentor to young men in the community. He got emotional when recalling how he worked with a boy who was doing community service at the Paxon Hollow Country Club (PHCC). “I helped him learn about responsibility by showing him how to clean the golf carts and do work around the golf course. Years later, we met again and he thanked me for turning his life around,” Joe said.
After retiring from the military in 1999, Joe worked for many years for Sears and Roebuck. After he retired from S&R, he worked as a golf course ranger at PHCC. It was there that he met Joe Romano and learned of the job opening at Marple Township’s Code Enforcement Department. He trained under Romano, took the necessary courses to learn about Code Enforcement, and he’s been there ever since. “Joe Grande is an asset to Marple Township!” Joe Romano said. “He knows everything about this township, inside and out. He’s great with people. And the fact that he is fluent in Spanish is a bonus!”
Suzanne Wolanin, Newtown Township Administrative Services Director and HR Coordinator, also had high praise for Joe:
Since 2002, Joe Grande has spent many enjoyable hours at the baseball fields for Newtown Square Petticoat League (NSPL) and Newtown Edgmont Little League (NELL), watching his grandchildren play ball. Joe’s son Daren, a Newtown Square resident, has been NELL President since 2015. “Even though my dad was always busy when I was growing up and he’s still busy working full-time, he always found and still finds the time to do things with his kids and grandkids,” Daren said with admiration.
After having lived in the Marple Newtown area for over 50 years, Joe Grande is as convinced as ever that he and Arleen found the best place to raise their family. “There are so many more advantages here than where I grew up in New York City!” Joe said gratefully. And Marple Newtown is very grateful to you, Joe, for your many years of service to our community!
Would you like to suggest a story about someone who makes a positive difference in our community? Send your suggestions to Christina Manning (CManning@BestVersionMedia.com).
