Joseph R. Neuberger, Wine connoisuer and MARRS Racer passes away

WILMINGTON & ELKTON - Joseph Robert Neuberger, age 66, from Elkton, Maryland and Wilmington, Delaware, passed away on March 10, 2018, after succumbing to health complications caused by the injuries he received in a devastating car accident on Elkton Road on October 26, 2017.

     Joe, the son of the late Stephen M. and Louise Ciamarcone Neuberger, was born in Wilmington, Delaware on March 27, 1951. Joe graduated from St. Anthony’s Grade School in 1965 where he excelled in track and basketball. Joe attended Salesanium High School for his freshman year before transferring to, and graduating from, Wilmington High School in 1969. While at WHS he played varsity basketball while also being involved as a co-editor of the school newspaper WHISP. Joe went on to attend Duquesne University on scholarship before transferring back to his home state and attending the University of Delaware. Joe’s first job after college was at State Line Liquors and it was while working there closely with the Murray Family that his interest in wine and wine making flourished and he became quite a wine connoisseur, eventually taking that knowledge and opening his own liquor store, The Wine Seller, at 1204 North Market Street in downtown Wilmington during the early 80’s. As a store owner, Joe hosted monthly wine tastings at area restaurants. A few years later the building housing The Wine Seller was sold to a developer, so Joe took his knowledge and experience and went to work at Kreston’s Liquor Mart for a few years, before eventually going into business with his then wife, Florence Barczewski, and opening Firenze and Company typography firm. Joe completed out his work career as the office manager of The Neuberger Firm for nearly six years, before eventually kicking back and retiring in 2006. Joe led an active and fulfilling life. Joe loved to travel and among his favorite destinations were trips to Rome, Italy to spend time with his cousin Nino; trips to Nice, France to tour the wine vineyards; trips to Monaco to watch the Formula 1 Grand Prix; and he also was a season ticket holder to the Indianapolis 500 for many years. Through the years Joe was involved with Rotary International, the Diamond State Blues Society, The Skip Barber Racing School, and then The Sports Car Club of America where Joe was a member of the Mid-Atlantic Road Racing Series hosted by the Washington, D.C. Region of the SCCA, and from 1989 until 2005 Joe raced an IT/S Mazda, a Citation Formula Ford, and a VW Rabbit. More recently Joe was a Member of the Board and Chairman of Publications with the Delaware Astronomical Society, and he was Secretary of the Board of Directors and Newsletter Editor of the National Alliance for Medication Assisted Recovery “NAMA”. In his retirement years Joe developed an expert green thumb and was proud of all the flowers that he nurtured and grew all around his home in Elkton. Joe also loved playing the drums and listening to Blues music. Joe is survived by his sister, Charlotte Neuberger, his brother Thomas (Judy), niece Dr. Deborah Kirk (Daniel), great-niece Natalie Kirk, and nephew Stephen Neuberger. Joe is also survived by his faithful dog Lucy, and numerous close friends, including his best friend Sonny Dill, close friends Nick and Vickie Maccari. Visitation will be held on Thursday evening, March 15, 2018, from 6 to 8pm at the Corleto Latina Family Center, 807 North Union Street Wilmington, DE. Funeral Services and Burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers and gifts, donations can be made in Joe’s memory to the charity of your choice.