“You’re as tall as you want to be!” Joe Anthony told his daughters, his niece and nephew, and later his granddaughters and grandson. This life motto has served everyone well and will not be soon forgotten. Joseph Peter Anthony, Jr. (Joe) was a lifelong coach, on and off the field. He inspired those around him to aim high and to play how they wanted to play, to be what they wanted to be. A coach for many recreational league sports teams and an avid fan of every family member, Joe started off as a football star. He also excelled at baseball and basketball. He attended Archbishop Carroll High School, Duke University, and the University of Maryland. His mother is known to have said that he was one of the two smartest guys she ever met – an honor held by both Joe and surviving brother, Bruce Richard Anthony, of Severna Park, MD.
Joe was born in Washington, DC on December 27, 1941 and, unfortunately for his family and community, he passed away on August 17, 2015 at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. His loss is deeply felt by his wife, Susan Lillie Anthony; two surviving daughters, Betsy Anthony and Leah Anthony Geiger; grandchildren, Rachel, Elise, and Nathan Geiger; brother Bruce Richard Anthony; niece Jennifer Anthony Grizzle; and nephew Christopher Anthony.
Joe received his Bachelor’s and his Master’s degrees from the University of Maryland, and worked for 31 years at the US Department of Agriculture as an economist. He was active in the church – most recently at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Solomons, MD, and before that at St. Andrew the Fisherman in Mayo, MD. Joe was a stained glass artist and for many years was a softball and basketball coach in the Davidsonville recreational athletic leagues.