Joseph Alexander was born January 12, 1923, in Indianapolis Indiana. He was the second of 4 children born to Greek immigrant parents: Harry Alexander and Chrysanthy Cherpas Alexander. He was preceded in death by his sister Elizabeth Allemenos and brother Constantine (Deno) Alexander. He is survived by his sister Helen Zarvas.

He attended Shortridge High School where he ran cross country and played trumpet. He graduated in 1940 and achieved Eagle Scout status. Joe attended Butler University where he was a Phi Delta Theta and played the alto saxophone for the Butler band back when tuition was only $100 per semester! He enlisted in the Navy and was placed in a leadership training program where the cadets were called 90 day wonders because they were put through a 4 year training program in just 90 days. He became a skipper on an LCT (Landing Craft for Tanks) that landed on Omaha Beach during the Normandy D-Day invasion.  

After the war, Joe returned home and followed his father’s lead and started a hardware business. He married Mary Berles of Ft. Wayne, Indiana who preceded him in death in 1989. They had five children together: James (Debi) Alexander, Harry (Lisa) Alexander, John (Lisa) Alexander, Christine (Ted) Nicholas, Andrew (Michael Schafstall) Alexander; and 11 grandchildren: Alexander Nicholas, Amanda Alexander, Katie Alexander, Marissa Nicholas, Mary Alexander, John Alexander, Nicholas Alexander, Fields Alexander, Molly Alexander, Mezelech Alexander, and Ephrem Alexander. He was the founder, owner and operator of several ACE Hardwares throughout the Indianapolis area. While hardware was his primary business, his working career was accentuated with other business ventures. He concurrently owned Life and Esquire Employment Services, Keystone Auto Supply and Aacon Auto Transport. He was a Life member of the East Side SERTOMA Club of Indianapolis for over 50 years, a 60+ year member of AHEPA, as well as a Third Degree Mason for 70 years. He was Co-Chairperson for the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Food Festival for the years 1976, 1978, 1990 and 1991. For 27 years he spent his winters in Florida and returned to Indiana to spend time with his eleven grandchildren. He was an avid bridge player both on line and at local organizations. He played tennis into his late 80’s and rode a bicycle into his 90’s. Joe was probably most loved for his sense of humor and easy-going personality. He will be dearly missed.   

Viewing will be held at Indiana Funeral Care, Harry W Moore Chapel, 8151 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46250, on Thursday, November 2 from 4 to 8 pm. An additional viewing will be held on Friday, November 3 from Noon to 1 pm at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 650 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204, with his funeral service at 1 pm at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. Immediately following will be a brief burial ceremony with military honors at Crown Hill Cemetery, 700 W. 38^th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208, followed by a memorial dinner at Camp Sertoma, 2316 S. German Church Road, Indianapolis, IN 46239. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joe’s honor to the Camp Sertoma Foundation, Camp Sertoma Foundation, 749 S. Grant Ave., Indianapolis. IN 46203.