Joseph Duckworth
November 14, 1948 — April 25, 2019
W. JOSEPH “JOE” DUCKWORTH
70, On Thursday, April 25, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. Joe was born in Philadelphia to Joseph C. and Wanda (Roskowski) Duckworth. Predeceased by his beloved wife of 37 years, Loretta C. Duckworth (Ciocco), and his sister Susan Marlotte. Survived by his children Sheara Ginsberg Graber (Erik), Jason Duckworth (Angela), David Ginsberg (Nicole), and Christopher Duckworth (Jessicah). Adoring grandfather to Ethan Graber, Amanda Duckworth, Lucy Duckworth, Talitha Duckworth, Alex Graber, Cana Duckworth, Julia Ginsberg, Samuel Ginsberg, Seth Graber, and Naaman Duckworth. Also survived by dear brother Kenneth Duckworth (Kelly), cousins, nieces and nephews.
Joe loved to bring people together. Joe with his wife Loretta regularly hosted grand gatherings of family and friends, travelled the world with children and grandchildren, and savored Phillies baseball, Michigan football, and countless Bob Dylan concerts with brother Ken and many close friends.
Joe was a nationally renowned community developer, honored as National Builder of the Year in 1992 while CEO of REALEN Homes and portrayed in Witold Rybczynski’s 2008 book Last Harvest. As chair of the Chester County Planning Commission, Joe advanced the idea that concentrating growth in the most appropriate locations was the best strategy for preserving open space and quality of life. Joe co-founded Arcadia Land Company, an award-winning developer of walkable communities, and served on the board of conservancy Natural Lands. Joe was also passionate about the freedoms protected by the United States Constitution and served for twenty years on the board of the National Constitution Center. Joe earned a BS from Carnegie-Mellon University and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
The family offers their deepest gratitude to the staff of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Kindred South Philadelphia Hospital, as well as Joe’s personal care assistant, Winnie Ottey-Rowe.
In Joe’s honor, a Memorial Service will be held on Monday, May 6, 2019 at 5pm at the National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street. In lieu of flowers, contributions should be made to the National Constitution Center.
70, On Thursday, April 25, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. Joe was born in Philadelphia to Joseph C. and Wanda (Roskowski) Duckworth. Predeceased by his beloved wife of 37 years, Loretta C. Duckworth (Ciocco), and his sister Susan Marlotte. Survived by his children Sheara Ginsberg Graber (Erik), Jason Duckworth (Angela), David Ginsberg (Nicole), and Christopher Duckworth (Jessicah). Adoring grandfather to Ethan Graber, Amanda Duckworth, Lucy Duckworth, Talitha Duckworth, Alex Graber, Cana Duckworth, Julia Ginsberg, Samuel Ginsberg, Seth Graber, and Naaman Duckworth. Also survived by dear brother Kenneth Duckworth (Kelly), cousins, nieces and nephews.
Joe loved to bring people together. Joe with his wife Loretta regularly hosted grand gatherings of family and friends, travelled the world with children and grandchildren, and savored Phillies baseball, Michigan football, and countless Bob Dylan concerts with brother Ken and many close friends.
Joe was a nationally renowned community developer, honored as National Builder of the Year in 1992 while CEO of REALEN Homes and portrayed in Witold Rybczynski’s 2008 book Last Harvest. As chair of the Chester County Planning Commission, Joe advanced the idea that concentrating growth in the most appropriate locations was the best strategy for preserving open space and quality of life. Joe co-founded Arcadia Land Company, an award-winning developer of walkable communities, and served on the board of conservancy Natural Lands. Joe was also passionate about the freedoms protected by the United States Constitution and served for twenty years on the board of the National Constitution Center. Joe earned a BS from Carnegie-Mellon University and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
The family offers their deepest gratitude to the staff of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Kindred South Philadelphia Hospital, as well as Joe’s personal care assistant, Winnie Ottey-Rowe.
In Joe’s honor, a Memorial Service will be held on Monday, May 6, 2019 at 5pm at the National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street. In lieu of flowers, contributions should be made to the National Constitution Center.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joseph Duckworth, please visit our flower store.