Joseph Berlin

Joseph Berlin, age 81, of Holland, died Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at Ebeid Hospice. Joe was born in Findlay, Ohio on October 3, 1933 to Francis and Genevieve Berlin. Following the loss of his father at the age of 5, due to an electrical accident at work, his mother, brothers and sister moved to Toledo. Self-described as a “cocky” young man, who under the guidance of his father-in-law, Phyllas “Rosie” Rose groomed him to become the upstanding gentleman that we all came to know and love. Rosie helped get him a job at the Toledo Blade, which Joe said in hindsight, was somewhat self- serving because he knew Joe was smitten with his daughter whom he later married. He was married to Phyllis “Jeanne” Rose for 58 years, before her death on May 10, 2012 at their home with Joe by her side. He worked at the Toledo Blade for 45 years starting as a Stereotype then as a Sales Representative. During this time he was an active member of the union and was remembered as being a leader of leaders. He spent his retirement years enjoying the outdoors hunting, fishing, golfing, and spending time with family and friends, especially the Wednesday retiree breakfast club. Surely the deer, turkey, fish, and those who were rooting for deer will be breathing a sigh of relief this hunting season. Joe is survived by his brother, William “Bill” Berlin; nephews, Robert, Donald, Doug and Jeff Berlin, Ricky and Randy Guinn; nieces, Kathryn Belin, Cheryl (Matt) Cope, Charlene Hassen Berlin, Suzanne Berlin and Micki Sue Nixon as well as his loving companion, Bonnie Sandman. He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Genevieve; brother, James “Jim” Berlin and sister, Patricia “Pat” Guinn. Friends and family will be received on Sunday, February 23, 2015 from 12:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M. in Neville Funeral Home, Southwest Chapel, 7438 Airport Highway , Holland (419-865-8879) where memorial services will follow at 2:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Ebeid Hospice, 5200 Harroun Rd. Sylvania, OH 43560, who provided loving and caring support to both Joe and his at home caregivers.