Joseph Edward Biase was born in Port Chester, New York on March 2, 1940. He grew up in Greenwich, where he was a member of the Boys and Girls Club, and graduated from Greenwich High School. He attended the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh and studied design. Afterward, he served his country in the US Army Reserves.
In his younger years, he worked summers as a lifeguard at Island Beach, and used those skills throughout his life teaching swimming and infant drown-proofing at the YMCA, the Boys and Girls Club, and in private lessons.
Joe was a legendary heartthrob bartender in the 70’s and 80’s, working at Gullivers II in Pearl River, Little Dick’s in Port Chester, and Nickleby’s, Tweeds, Boodles and Gryphon amongst others in Greenwich. His disco era shirts and facial hair were unmatched.
Like his mother Pauline, he was a lifelong devoted Yankees fan. His prized possessions included all his framed World series, All Star games, and Yankees Stadium Club tickets, as well as the framed napkin that Joe DiMaggio signed for his mother.
He ran eleven marathons between 1982 and 1994, including nine New York Marathons. His treasured race finish photos, medals and certificates were proud memorabilia of his athletic achievements.
Our U.J. (Uncle Joe) was cherished by his family, especially the youngest generation who delighted in his attention, antics, singing, great stories, cannolis, and ability to best everyone at whatever silly games ensued after every Thanksgiving dinner. He loved music, and had an enormous collection of vinyl and CDs which he loved sharing with all who came over to his house. Elvis and Frank Sinatra were amongst his favorites.
Joe worked for Feinsod’s Hardware in Port Chester for many years, and transferred to the Old Greenwich location. In both locations he was a welcoming and knowledgeable help to everyone who came in, and a trusted friend to the staff. He was a longtime officer of the Lexington Square condo association, serving his neighbors and friends there as vice president for twenty years.
Joe was joyfully welcomed to his heavenly home on June 16, 2026. He was met by his parents, Joseph Biase and Pauline Garr Biase, his dear sister Lucille Biase Ball and her son (his nephew) Steven Ball, as well as his cousin and dear friend Linda Garr Gonzalez.
Joe is survived by his brother-in-law Malcolm Ball (Karen Chambers), nephew Michael Ball (Lydia), niece Karen Ball (Steven), cousin Victoria Gonzalez Downer (Kenneth), great-nieces and nephews Owen Ball, Charlotte Ball, Jake Ball, Sadie Ball, Charlie Montgomery, Anna Montgomery, and cousins Kyle and Kenny Downer. He is also survived by lifelong friends Linda and Steve Flett, Mike and Debbie Lombardo, and Helen Roxbury.
There will be a graveside internment service at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Greenwich on August 22, 2026 at 11:00am.
As Joe was permanently young at heart, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations go to Hope for Hallie, both of his nephews’ favorite organization, which is devoted to promoting mental health awareness in ways that create real, positive change, especially for the youth.