Meet Swedish Days parade marshal, Joe Greenberg
When the Swedish Days grand parade starts rolling at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 28, it will be led by a local icon - Joe Greenberg.
"I tell people that I lived my life by accident, not design," said Greenberg, who has been named this year's parade marshal.
Greenberg has lived in the area for all of his 90 years. Upon graduation from Elgin High School, he entered the Navy in 1944. After serving his country in World War II, he obtained a diploma in Fine Arts at the Art Institute of Chicago, and in 1980 received his bachelor of fine arts degree. At the Art Institute of Chicago, he met his wife Karin, with whom he had two children.
A "jack of all trades," Greenberg has worked over the years as a grocery clerk, surveyor, machine tool operator, restaurateur, shipping manger, youth counselor, substitute teacher, foreman and worked for Sol Simon at the Merra-Lee Shops. It was there that Greenberg began his relationship with Geneva.
Greenberg did just about everything at the Shops. When they closed at the end of 2011, he became operations manager for The Little Traveler and property manager for Mike Simon, positions he still holds today.
Working in Geneva has given him the opportunity to meet extraordinary people who donate their time, talents and energy to make Geneva a wonderful place to live, work and play.
"These people do not expect or receive special recognition for their actions but do their daily best," he said. "As parade marshal, I will be representing the everyday, hardworking people who daily contribute to making Geneva a great town."
Greenberg likes to keep active through dancing. He was a Dancing with the Geneva Stars contestant in its inaugural year, cast member of State Street Dance Studio's "Nutcracker" and is frequently seen "dancing the night away" around town. When not working, Greenberg can be found dancing.
"I tell everyone I meet about how and where I learned to dance and how it changed my life forever," he said. "I want everyone to know that it doesn't matter if you dance well. You just need to dance."
Though Greenberg does not reside in Geneva, he has been actively involved in promoting the development and growth of the business community.
"Through my work with the Geneva Chamber of Commerce I have helped with many programs such as 60 Men Who Cook and The Swedish Days Grand Parade," he said. "I have walked in parades, built floats and helped set up for festivals."
When the letter arrived announcing Greenberg as the parade marshal for the 2015 Swedish Day parade, he was humbled to be singled out and honored for doing the things he already enjoys doing.
"I know that around town I am known as the crazy guy who dresses up in costumes and roams the streets passing out gold coins, Hershey kisses, Easter eggs and hugs," he said. "By honoring me, you say it is OK to be me, just the crazy way I am."