Joseph E. Sindoni, 89, real estate and insurance operator

WHEN JOSEPH Sindoni bought a boat for seagoing outings from the Jersey Shore, he thought his wife would be thrilled.

But when she saw it, Margaret's reaction was less than enthusiastic. "Where's the bathroom?" she wanted to know.

So, Joseph, always the devoted husband, went out and bought a bigger boat - a 24-footer with a bathroom.

The family kept the boat for about eight years at North Wildwood, but, even though he was a former Navy man, the family didn't get that much use out of the boat and he finally sold it.

Part of the problem was that Joseph Sindoni was the kind of guy whose favorite activity was work. A serious-minded man, he thrived on his real estate and insurance business, his leadership positions with regional and national real estate associations, and his role in the governing bodies of the Delaware County borough of Yeadon.

He died Monday at age 89. He lived in Media.

"I read a book about the 'Greatest Generation,' " said his son James Sindoni. "That was my Dad. He grew up in the Depression, came out of the military, started a family and went to work. He was quiet, didn't say much, but when he did, he would give good advice."

It wasn't until later in his life that Joseph began to talk about experiences in the Navy during World War II. He served aboard LST 714, a military supply ship, as a radio operator in the South Pacific.

He participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944, and told of seeing ships going down under Japanese attacks, including a ship near his that was hit by a kamikaze plane.

He also told about suffering through the typhoon that delayed operations as Gen. Douglas MacArthur sought to fulfill his "I Shall Return" promise to retake the Philippines that he had been forced to abandon early in the Pacific war.

"He said he hid in the radio room with a bucket," his son said.

Joseph was discharged in April 1946 with the rank of petty officer second class. He married the former Margaret R. Pomponia in 1950.

In business, Joseph operated a real estate and insurance agency in Philadelphia from 1952 to 1963, then helped form and eventually own Bon-Sin Realty at 2010 Oregon Ave. He served as director and adviser with Liberty Federal Savings Bank.

Joseph was past president of the Greater Philadelphia Association of Realtors and former president of the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors. He was a director and chairman of several committees of the National Association of Realtors.

In 1995, he was elected regional vice president of the national group, serving as liaison for the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.

He received many honors from these organizations, including South Philadelphia Realty Board Man of the Year in 1967 and 1983; Realtor of the Year in 1978 by the Greater Philadelphia Association of Realtors; and the group's Hall of Fame Award in 1993.

Joseph Sindoni was born and raised in South Philadelphia, the son of John and Amanda Sindoni. His father lost a fortune in the stock-market crash of October 1929, but Joseph was never aware of his family's financial straits.

He graduated from South Philadelphia High School in 1943. After his Navy service, he attended Temple University on the GI Bill, graduating in 1950 with a bachelor of science in business administration with majors in insurance and real estate.

A longtime resident of Yeadon, Joseph served on the Borough Council from 1978 to 1981, chairing the Finance Committee, the Police Negotiating Committee and the Public Safety Committee. He also was former chairman of the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

He was financial secretary of the Yeadon Swim Club and was an active Boy Scout leader.

His wife died in 2006. Besides his son James, he is survived by three other sons, John, Joseph and Jerome; a daughter, Joann Sindoni; two sisters, Frances Olivo and Joan Forjohn; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Services: 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Logan Funeral Home, 57 S. Eagle Road, Havertown. Friends may call at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be at Ss. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Marple.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Riddle Healthcare Foundation, 1068 W. Baltimore Pike, Media, PA, 19063.