This article by Adrian Walker honors Joe's life and work, highlighting some of his contributions to the field of philanthropy. Read the full article here.
Joe's friends have created a special donor-advised fund in his honor. The mission of the fund is to advocate for sound housing and economic solutions for the local community. Contributions may be sent to The Moose and Squirrel Fund, in care of:
The Boston Foundation
75 Arlington Street, 10th Floor
Boston, MA 02116 U.S.A.
For additional information, contact Jenna Smith Gomes at 617-338-2683 or
jenna.gomes@tbf.org.
* "Moose and Squirrel" refers to two of Joe’s all-time favorite cartoon characters, Rocky and Bullwinkle.
|
Home
: News and Events : Joe Breiteneicher: 1945 - 2007
Joe Breiteneicher: 1945 - 2007
"Take Up the Song..."
Once in a lifetime, someone comes into a field, or into your life, who turns it all inside out. Joe Breiteneicher had a brilliant mind, a ready wit, a kind, joyful and generous spirit. He was an incredible father, husband, boss, friend and advocate. And he transformed philanthropy.
Joe was a vigorous and inspiring leader of change in our field. He taught us new and innovative thinking and creative, result-oriented strategies. But for a man of such profound thought, Joe had no timidity about action. Joe felt the urgency of social and economic injustice deeply and wasted no time in attacking problems where he saw them. When Joe reviewed his life, he often thought of his cherished friends at the Melville Charitable Trust. He said they had accomplished an understanding of homelessness that was beyond anyone's efforts before, but they also understood the foundation of real social change: "We've learned a lot. Now build the damn units!"
We will miss Joe terribly and will try to carry on the strength with which he lived his life. Please join us by sharing your own recollections of Joe.
______________________________________________
Joe wanted his family, friends and colleagues to have the opportunity to come together in a memorial service to celebrate his journey with us. He chose the Old South Meeting House in downtown Boston, a treasured landmark. More than 200 of Joe's family, friends, and colleagues gathered there on the evening of Saturday, July 14.
A favorite line of Joe's was from Edna St. Vincent Millay, "Take up the song; forget the epitaph". This was an occasion for us all to share with each other the songs we shared with Joe, the work we did together to make a better society and a better world, and the fun we had doing it.
|
|