SPRUCE HILL COMMUNITY - Key Persons

Was born on May 20, 1927 in Whitney, PA and passed away at home on January 8, 2021 at 93 years old with his loving wife Betty at his side. After graduating from Latrobe High School he joined the Army Air Corps in 1945 and was recruited by Army Intelligence. He was posted to the United States Embassy in Moscow from 1946 through 1948 . While in Moscow, he applied by telegram to the University of Pennsylvania. He entered the Wharton School in 1949, and when the Korean War interrupted his studies he was recalled to active duty and posted to the Pentagon as an expert in strategic intelligence, achieving the rank of 1st Lt. He graduated from Penn in 1954 and married Betty Kendi, and they raised their family in the University City neighborhood of West Philadelphia. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law in 1957, and practiced as a Philadelphia attorney for over 50 years, initially with the law firm of Goff and Rubin and then with Fell & Spalding. He and his extraordinary wife had six children: Mark (deceased), David, Karen, Douglas, Beth and Bruce, plus 13 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Joseph and Betty Moloznik became fixtures in the West Philadelphia University City community. He established the Spruce Hill Community Association and was one of the founding members of the University City Swim Club, probably the first private, integrated swim club in Philadelphia. He represented the West Philadelphia Consortium and was active in community matters including the University City Arts League and Clark Park's annual May Fair. All of those institutions remain vibrant parts of the West Philadelphia community five decades later. He was also active with St. James Parish Council, the West Philadelphia Corporation, Boy Scouts of America and Philadelphia Bar Association. He helped establish a 25 member sportsmen's club in Central Pennsylvania in 1962 which is still active. Donations in his memory may be made to St. Francis Xavier Church Organ Fund, 2319 Green St. Phila., PA 19130