Joseph Blumenthal II

Class of 1972

Joseph was born on June 6, 1916 in Philadelphia, the youngest child of Joseph Blumenthal and Rachel (Solomon) Blumenthal. A graduate of Cheltenham High School, he received his bachelor of arts degree, cum laude, from Harvard University in 1938 in chemistry.

Following graduation, he joined the family-owned Blumenthal Brothers Chocolate Co. of Philadelphia, makers of Raisinets and Goobers, a company established by his father and uncles. Joseph worked for the company throughout his long career of service to the confectionery industry.

In 1942, he entered the U.S. Army Air Corp, where he rose from the rank of private to captain. He served as a lieutenant in the chemical warfare division, stationed outside London, England.  While there he was introduced to Joan Cassen by a mutual friend, and they were married in 1945 just after VE day.

The young couple moved back to suburban Philadelphia, and Joseph resumed his duties at the chocolate company, taking the position of national sales manager of their packaged candy products.  With his brother Bernhard and cousins Larry, Jack and Samuel, they managed the company until it was sold in 1969 to Ward Foods.  Joseph continued to work for the new owners until his retirement in 1981.

During his career, Joe was honored numerous times, including being named an NCWA Dean.

After that he and Joan spent several years exploring the US in a camper with their German Shepherd, then settled into a pattern of winters in Sarasota, Florida and summers at a lake house in Western Massachusetts.

In addition to his business interests, he was an avid gardener and spent a great deal of time and effort keeping his Glenside home beautiful with flowers and its dining table laden with summer vegetables.  He was especially proud of growing plants native to Wilmington, NC, home of his mother, where he spent summers in his youth.  Joseph was also very dedicated to his family, spending a lot of time keeping up with relatives near and far in addition to being and exemplary husband and father.

Joseph and Joan had two sons: Jeffrey and Joseph III, and a daughter Susan.

He passed away in 2010.