(Photos by The Little Traveler)
Joe Greenberg, “part of the heart and soul of The Little Traveler family for over 50 years” died Thursday at the age of 95.
According to a post on The Little Traveler social media accounts, Greenberg had “worked until last month, doing everything that’s possible to do in our store, from coordinating our annual inventory, to roaming the store in costumes to celebrate major holidays, to being our staff photographer for all our special events, to being the first person in each morning to turn on the lights and the last one out each night to shut them off.”
Greenberg, a native of Elgin, a resident of St. Charles and a longtime Geneva and Fox Valley fixture, spent the vast majority of his life on Geneva’s Third Street shopping district, having run the Merra Lee shop and other stores in addition to his time at The Little Traveler.
Greenberg was also a vibrant public figure in the Fox Valley, dancing in countless Elgin charity shows as well as State Street Studios “Nutcracker” productions, and donning comical holiday costumes while passing out candy along Third Street.
“He was perpetually upbeat, incredibly funny, and cared deeply about every one of us,” the Little Traveler post continued. “We are grateful to have had him in our lives for so long, and will miss him terribly.
The Little Traveler will post a charity that well-wishers can donate to in his memory. The family will have a remembrance of his life “at a later, safer time.”
For a thorough reflection on Greenberg’s life, read Susan Sarkauskas’ piece in the Daily Herald here.
