A true gentleman passed away December 4, 2017 from a prolonged illness surrounded by his beloved wife, Nancy Greenbach and loving family.   A dedicated family man and Patriarch to the extended Greenbach family, he was a great story teller, recounting family history, business successes and blunders, always with detail, clarity and humor.

Joe was born and raised in San Francisco until age 13 when his parents moved to Atherton.  At Sequoia high school in Redwood City, he was a natural athlete playing on Championship football and basketball teams.  He attended Menlo College then earned a basketball scholarship to Santa Clara University.  He played Point Guard for the SCU Championship Bronco basketball team for all three years traveling all over the US.  Joe was inducted into four Basketball Hall of Fames:  Santa Clara University,  San Mateo County, Menlo College and Sequoia High School.

After graduation from Santa Clara University, he was a 1950 Round 8 draft pick by the NBA team, Washington Capitols.   He declined, to start his career in the family business.  Simultaneously, he was selected to play with the local Stewart Chevrolet Basketball team coached by Hank Luisetti, joining other notable players from Stanford, USF, Cal, Santa Clara and Oregon State.  The Stewart Chevrolet team won the 1951 AAU  Basketball Championship and missed playing in the Helsinki Olympics by the loss of one game.  Joe was selected to play with the AAU All Stars on a national and international tour.

Upon joining the family real estate development business, Belle Haven Realty, Joe helped build over 3,000 homes in San Mateo County and oversaw operations of their Hotels in Oakland, San Francisco, Tahoe, Los Angeles, Del Mar and Seattle.  He moved to Hawaii to build the first high rise hotel in Waikiki Beach, the Waikiki Biltmore.  He and his older brother, Bill, built the Royal Towers on Russian Hill in San Francisco.  It was among the first condominiums in the City and stands today as a hallmark of the family's development history.  Belle Haven Realty, under Joe's leadership, continued to own and operate the Villa Hotel in San Mateo for 36 years adding 96 rooms and purchasing the popular Villa Chartier and Lanai Restaurants.  Joe served as President/CEO of Belle Haven Realty from the 70's until his death.

Joe was highly respected in the community for his business acumen and ongoing successes.  He was President/Board Member of the San Mateo Chamber of Commerce, received a lifetime award for starting the San Mateo County Convention and Visitor's Bureau serving as their President/Director, received the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Easter Seal Society in San Mateo County, Board member of many organizations including the Service League of San Mateo County,

In 1997, Joe married Nancy Greenbach from Texas and spent twenty wonderful years full of love and respect for one another.  Joe and Nancy felt blessed to be able to travel the world with friends and family.  Both were San Francisco Symphony Patrons.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Helen Greenbach, brother William Greenbach, sister Kathryn Moore, son Jeff Greenbach, Sister in Law, Patti Greenbach, Brother in Laws, Bill Moore and Dr. William Kennett and first wife, Betty Greenbach.  He is survived by his devoted wife, Nancy: children Dan Greenbach, Kim Jones (Brian), Mylie Greenbach, Tami Adam (Jim), Matthew Mattox (Susan), Jennifer Oines (Leif) , 11 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, sister Gloria Kennett plus many nieces and nephews.

His family will miss his soft spoken manner, his love and guidance and the amazing example he set forth in both life and work.  His many dear friends share our profound loss.

A Funeral Mass celebrating the life of Joseph Greenbach will be held at 1 pm December 19, 2017 at St. Pius Church, Redwood City with reception to be announced.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SCU Athletic Dept, 500 El Camino Real, Saanta Clara 95053; Peninsula Volunteers, Inc.  800 Middle Avenue, Menlo Park 94027 or a charity of your choice.