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Joseph J. Greenberg (28 September 1883 - 16 June 1963) was a Philadelphia real estate developer, builder and broker for more than fifty years, was a member of the Board of Public Education for twenty years. He was a former president of the Board of Realtors of Philadelphia, and his experience contributed much to the deep insights that were evident in his capacity as chairman of the subcommittee on school construction and site selection. Mr. Greenberg was born in Baltimore, Maryland on September 28, 1883 and attended the public schools there. He also attended the City College of Baltimore. In 1904 Mr. Greenberg came to Philadelphia and entered the real estate business. He was chairman of the firm of Joseph J. and Reynolds H. Greenberg, Inc. During his many years as a successful businessman, more than 140 major structures were attributed to his skill as a builder and real estate broker. Among the many that may be mentioned, a few of the more dramatic building adventures that are outstanding include 2601 Parkway, which when erected in 1930, was one of the first large apartment buildings in Philadelphia; the Architects Building on Walnut Street, and the Sun Oil Building.
During the First World War, Mr. Greenberg served under Assistant Secretary of the Navy, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in the building of naval facilities in and around Philadelphia. Mr. Greenberg was a member of the Board of Bankers Security Corporation and co-founder of the National Society of Industrial Realtors. He was a former president of the City Planning Commission. Among his many civic activities, to mention only a few, are his service as president of the National Jewish Chautauqua Society, chairman of the building committee of the Federation of Jewish Charities and an active membership on the board of governors of the Philmont Country Club. In 1961, although Mr. Greenberg announced his plans to retire, he stated that he wished to see through to completion the school building program then underway. As an independent thinker he gave meticulous attention to his duties as a member of the Board. His deep concern for teachers and pupils was always so evident in the decisions he made concerning the welfare of the public schools of our city. Upon the death of Mr. Greenberg on June 16, 1963, at the age of seventy-nine years, the Board of Public Education lost a most dedicated public servant.There is currently a public school in Philadelphia that is named afer Joseph Greenberg.
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