"The Office" Loses a Member from Philadelphia

Joe Selmer, who lived in Philadelphia, but was a long-time member of The Office at Greenberry's,  died Friday after a short illness.

Joe would take the train to McLean to visit family. Sometimes, he would drop  by Greenberry's, McLean's popular downtown coffee-shop.  McLean resident Jack High, the Mayor of Greenberry's, invited him to join The Office.  Jack created The Office a few years ago just by inviting fellow retirees who wandered into Greenberry's, to join him and whatever friends he was with that day.

Joseph T. Selmer,  68,  died at the home of his daughter and son-in-law Stephanie and Mark Brunhofer in Arlington, Virginia.  He was the loving husband of Joanne (nee Caruso), and beloved uncle of 19 nieces and nephews and 24 grand and great nieces and nephews, his family said.

Joe was a loving, kind, and compassionate person who had a quick-wit and was always ready to share a funny story.  Joe enjoyed playing sports and found his calling as a mentor and coach to youth at the Police Athletic League, Catholic Youth Organization, and Somerton Youth Organization.  Joe was also active in his church volunteering, serving as a Eucharistic Minister, and former Home and School President at St. Raymond’s School, his family said.

"We miss him!" said Pam Lucey, of McLean, one of the leaders of The Office. The Office opens daily at Greenberry's with 10 to 15 members between 10:30 and 11 am. and closes about noon. Their work: to welcome, support, advise, nurture and befriend.

"It was almost three years ago and we would notice a guy sitting by himself near the door. He would be there every day for about a week or so and then he would disappear and we wouldn’t see him for a month or more and then he would be back again. We’d smile and say Hi, " Lucey said.
 
"Then finally we couldn’t stand it anymore and Jack High said to me one day, "We need to get that guy’s story—invite him to join us.” So over I went and we learned his name, Joe Selmer. Of course he quickly became Philly Joe after he told us he only came down from Philly to have coffee! With a sense of humor like that he fit right in!
 
"Eventually we met his daughter Stephanie Brunhofer and her husband Mark (the real reason for his visits) and his lovely wife Joanne. Our lives are richer for having known him! Bless you, Joe and raise a cup of Greenberry’s with Jack; we’ll all be along one of these days!

Joe  is the third member of The Office to die in the past 15 months, K.K. Piper recalled Saturday. Jack died in December 2009.
 
He was retired after working for a manufacturing company and as a forklift operator at a distrubution center for Marshalls. Other survivors include his sister Maryanne Morrow, brother Leo, twin brother Tom, and brother-in-law Ed.  Joe was preceded in death by his mother Mary Selmer (nee Linney), father Leon and sister Frances.

Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing on Sunday from 4-6 p.m. at Murphy Funeral Home at 4510 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22203 and to the Funeral Mass at St. Agnes Catholic Church 1910 N. Randolph Street, Arlington,  Monday at 10:30 a.m. 

There will also be a second viewing in Philadelphia, Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at DiGiacomo Funeral Home on 1055 Southampton Road, Philadelphia, and Wednesday at 9:30 am at St. Christopher’s Church 13301 Proctor Road, Philadelphia, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30am.

Donations can be made in Joe’s memory to St. Christopher’s Church,  or to the Police Athletic League of Philadelphia 2524 E. Clearfield Street, Philadelphia, PA 19134.