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Also naming Angelo Place, between Mars Place and South 82nd Street, “Joe Wilson Way”, to honor the life and legacy of Joseph Wilson.
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WHEREAS, Joe Wilson was born and raised in South Philadelphia, where he graduated from Bok Technical High School. Growing up in a tight-knit family, Joe learned early on the importance of community involvement, offering his assistance to elderly neighbors who needed a hand around the house and driving a church bus to help transport neighbors to the Sunday service; and
WHEREAS, After moving to the Eastwick Section of Philadelphia, Joe Wilson quickly dedicated himself to his new community. Always passionate about helping the elderly or less fortunate, Joe made a name for himself among his neighbors as somebody who was always willing to offer his help; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of Joe’s love for his adopted neighborhood, Mr. Wilson was elected block captain by his neighbors and took great pride in going above and beyond the call of duty by helping to maintain not only his block, but those surrounding his beloved Angelo Place; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Wilson began his career with SEPTA as a bus driver in 1978, a position from which he retired in 2013 after 35 years. While Joe can still remember the racial epithets he had to endure from the driver’s seat of his Route 2 and 39 busses, he never lost sight of his passion for helping others. Indeed, Joe became well known among his passengers for his friendly and welcoming demeanor, with one commuter saying, “on Joe’s bus, we’re all like family”; and
WHEREAS, Joe Wilson’s professionalism and courtesy toward all those who entered his bus helped make him gain the attention not only of his passengers but of local elected leaders such as Council President Anna Verna and District Attorney Lynne Abraham. The latter declared that “Joe might just be an exemplar that SEPTA employees everywhere might want to emulate”; and
WHEREAS, On one particularly notable night, in 1982, Joe Wilson was driving his bus along Broad Street when a man began shooting on the bus. Thinking quickly, Joe managed to push a young girl out of danger, sustaining a gunshot wound to his right thigh. As reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer, Mr. Wilson also rushed to the aid of several victims of house fires over the course of his 35 years at SEPTA. These heroic and selfless actions highlight the concern that Joe felt for the well-being of his neighbors and neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, These memories, and the countless others that endure in the minds of those who were fortunate to have known Joe over the course of his life, speak to the selfless dedication to others that defined Joe Wilson’s life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Does hereby also name Angelo Place, between Mars Place and South 82nd Street, “Joe Wilson Way” to honor the life and legacy of Mr. Joe Wilson.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. Joseph Wilson as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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