Temple University Athletics
Joe Berenato (front row, second from left)
All-American Gymnast Joe Berenato Dies
9.12.13 | Men's Gymnastics
PHILADELPHIA — Former Temple All-American gymnast Joe Berenato (1948-50) died on Sept. 8. He was 85.
The 1949 NCAA champion on the side horse, Berenato also worked the rope climb and parallel bars. He played an important role as Temple captured its first NCAA team championship that year.
In his three varsity seasons at Temple (1948-49-50), Berenato earned three medals at the NCAA Championships. He competed in the All-Around for Hall of Fame coach Max Younger and was the high scorer on the side horse in every meet for three years. Temple was the Eastern Collegiate Gymnastics League Champion in 1949, and individually, he was runner-up on the side horse.
Stricken with infantile paralysis at the age of 13 months, Berenato overcame his handicap to star in gymnastics and table tennis at Northeast High School before moving on to Temple. He helped Northeast High win the Public League Championship. Berenato was awarded the Northeast High Senate Award for character and individual achievement.
Berenato was inducted into the Temple Sports Hall of Fame in 1998 as an individual and with the 1949 Men's Gymnastics Team in 2008.
A 1950 graduate with a bachelor's degree from the School of Media & Communication, Berenato worked for the General Electric Company for more than 30 years. He retired in 1988.
Berenato is survived by his wife Flossie V. (nee May); siblings Palma, Bruce, Matthew, and Andrew; brother-in-law Joseph May; and many nieces and nephews.
Friends are invited to his viewing on Sunday, Sept. 15 from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Monday, Sept. 16 at 9 a.m. at the Wackerman Funeral Home (8060 Verree Road, Philadelphia, PA 19111). A funeral mass will be held on Monday at 10 a.m. at St. Cecilia Church. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, mass cards are preferred.
The 1949 NCAA champion on the side horse, Berenato also worked the rope climb and parallel bars. He played an important role as Temple captured its first NCAA team championship that year.
In his three varsity seasons at Temple (1948-49-50), Berenato earned three medals at the NCAA Championships. He competed in the All-Around for Hall of Fame coach Max Younger and was the high scorer on the side horse in every meet for three years. Temple was the Eastern Collegiate Gymnastics League Champion in 1949, and individually, he was runner-up on the side horse.
Stricken with infantile paralysis at the age of 13 months, Berenato overcame his handicap to star in gymnastics and table tennis at Northeast High School before moving on to Temple. He helped Northeast High win the Public League Championship. Berenato was awarded the Northeast High Senate Award for character and individual achievement.
Berenato was inducted into the Temple Sports Hall of Fame in 1998 as an individual and with the 1949 Men's Gymnastics Team in 2008.
A 1950 graduate with a bachelor's degree from the School of Media & Communication, Berenato worked for the General Electric Company for more than 30 years. He retired in 1988.
Berenato is survived by his wife Flossie V. (nee May); siblings Palma, Bruce, Matthew, and Andrew; brother-in-law Joseph May; and many nieces and nephews.
Friends are invited to his viewing on Sunday, Sept. 15 from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Monday, Sept. 16 at 9 a.m. at the Wackerman Funeral Home (8060 Verree Road, Philadelphia, PA 19111). A funeral mass will be held on Monday at 10 a.m. at St. Cecilia Church. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, mass cards are preferred.
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