Joseph Sperling

July 21, 1933 – April 16, 2022

Joseph Sperling, 88, of Staten Island, New York, passed away on April 16 at Richmond Medical Center in Staten Island after a long illness.

Joe was born in New York City to Gertrude Sperling (née Sinai) and Solomon Sperling, a pharmacist from Suwalki, Poland, on July 21, 1933. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War and graduated from the City College of New York with a Bachelor’s Degree in 1957.

Throughout his adult life, Joe was a prominent member of the Social Service Employees Union, AFSCME Local 371, serving as president of the union from 1976 to 1982. As president, Joe fought for higher pay, better working conditions, and job security at a time when unionization of public sector employees was a crucial civil rights issue. Joe was both a militant activist in the heyday of union representation for public service employees and also a skilled political thinker. He continued to work one day a week at the union offices all through his retirement until the offices were temporarily closed for the Covid pandemic in 2019.

Joe was married to Earlene Bethel-Sperling from 1987 until Earlene’s untimely death at age 64 in 2011. Supporting Earlene’s long-time project, the Staten Island Street Olympics, Joe taught hundreds of children how to play chess. Joe read the New York Times cover to cover every day and had an encyclopedic knowledge of current events. Joe was especially interested in the history and politics of Israel and the Middle East and was always proud of his Jewish faith.

From age 80, Joe enjoyed travel, family, and socializing with his wife, Johnel Green, using Staten Island as a base for many enjoyable adventures far and wide, visiting museums, eating out, and gathering with friends and relatives.

Joseph is preceded in death by his parents and by his beloved sister, Ruth Sperling Gillen.

Joseph is survived by his wife, Johnel Green; daughter, Ellen Lipscomb Collins, and son-in-law, Will Collins; grandsons Randy and Christian Lipscomb, great-grandchildren, Aidyn Ted, Cameron Joseph, Camiyah Alean-Joselle, and Carmelo Josiah Lipscomb; stepsons Ronald C., Robert D., and Reginald J. Green; grandchildren, Lexus D., Brandon C., Kiara J., Ronald B., and Kayla Green; great-grandson, Liam H. Green; nephews, Jay and Gerald Gillen, and their families.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Albano, Dr. Chinitz, Dr. Habib, Dr. Sprung, Dr. M. Goodacre and to Joseph’s wonderful home health aide, Ann Marie, as well as to Al Gentile at the St. George Pharmacy.