Joseph George (Joe) Joseph

Joseph G. “Joe” Joseph
Professional Bowler

Joe Joseph was born in Clarksburg, West Virginia moving to Michigan City, Indiana at age five. He went on to St. Mary’s High School where he was a star football player and a Golden Gloves boxer losing in the National finals. He was also an amateur fast-pitch softball player, pitching more than 50 no-hitters as well as a scratch golfer winning the Lansing All-City Golf Championship & Bestball tournament. A veteran of World War II, Joseph decided on a bowling career and in his first year compiled a 190 average. He turned professional in 1959 and found immediate success, winning the Miller High Life Tournament in 1961, the Great & Greatest Bowling Tournament and won the inaugural PBA Tournament (now known as the Firestone) in 1962. He bowled more than thirty 300 games in his career. Known for his catchphrase “Are you all right?”, he was one of the most well-like people on the bowling circuit. Joe Joseph was inducted into the Greater Lansing Sports Hall of Fame in 1976, the United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame in 1969, the Professional Bowlers Hall of Fame in 1985 and was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1980. He passed away on June 10, 1988 at 70 years of age.