Joseph B. Green, accomplished attorney
Joseph B. Green, 73, passed away peacefully Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, with his devoted wife Nancy Belfer Green and his family by his side. Joe was born in Wilmington Sept. 11, 1947, to Fluff and Harold Green.
He graduated from P.S. duPont High School class of 1965, Dickinson College in 1969, and received his Juris Doctorate from Duquesne University Law School in 1972.
Joe is survived by his loving wife Nancy; adoring children, Jeffrey (Kara) Green of Connecticut, Daniel (Candi) Green of Maryland, Melissa Azlant Schneider (Randy) of Ohio, and Samuel Azlant (Monique) of California; treasured grandchildren, Alison and Amanda Green, Dovid, Zev, and Binny Green, Joshua and Leah Schneider, and Madison Rubio and Phynn Azlant; sisters, Vicki Green and Suzi Voorhees; and brother, Tom Green.
After graduation, Joe began practicing law in 1972, starting his career as a part-time public defender in Wilmington while maintaining a private practice - Green and Green - which he partnered with his father. The firm expanded twice to eventually become Green, Green, Godowsky and McFadden. After closing his private practice in 2015, Joe and Nancy relocated to Millsboro, and he began working at the Sussex County Office of Defense Services focusing on juvenile and domestic violence representation. In addition, Joe and Jerome Capone shared both office space and professional camaraderie for over 20 years.
Although Joe was a passionate Philadelphia sports fan, his favorite games were those played with his close friends and cousins on the golf course, tennis court, at the poker table, and race track. Joe and Nancy were getting ready to celebrate their 43rd wedding anniversary, and one of their great pleasures was traveling with family and friends as well as hosting visitors at their beach homes. Joe was a lifelong member of Congregation Beth Emeth in Wilmington and an original member of the Seaside Jewish Community in Sussex County.
A private graveside funeral was held recently, and a celebration of life will be planned at a later date.
The family requests that any memorial donations be made to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation, 1707 N. Randall Road, Suite 200, Elgin, IL 60123, or Seaside Jewish Community, P.O. Box 1472, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.
With his passing, Joe’s family and friends will remember him as a kind and generous man of amazing integrity. A compassionate listener, Joe understood suffering having heroically endured many years of pain with his diagnoses of myasthenia gravis and cancer. His greatest passion was being a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and friend, and Joe spoiled all of us with his time, attention and unconditional love.
Arrangements by Schoenberg Memorial Chapel.
