The family of the late AMO Deep-Sea Vice President Joe Gremelsbacker will celebrate Joe and his legacy during a private memorial service at sea for the longtime AMO member and official on Sunday morning, January 29.

This service will be followed by a public memorial reception the afternoon of January 29 beginning at 4 p.m. at AMO headquarters in Dania Beach, Fla. This reception - sponsored by Joe's daughter, Morgan - will be held in the headquarters meeting hall soon to be dedicated officially as the Joe Gremelsbacker Memorial Meeting Hall.

"The formal dedication of the meeting hall was postponed unavoidably because of delayed production of a plaque and other amenities to be displayed permanently in Joe's honor," said AMO President Paul Doell. "Our intent was an appropriate setting reflecting Joe's honest, exceptional service to the AMO membership and to AMO families. Between holiday season business breaks and the unique nature and quality of the plaque on order, we had no choice but to hold off on the formal, official celebration."

The date of the official dedication will be announced publicly by the end of February.

Joseph Zigmund Gremelsbacker passed away at his home in Hollywood, Florida, on October 3 at age 68. He had suffered for more than eight years from cancer and the debilitating effects of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

"We're still hurting from Joe's passing," Doell said. "He provided effective professional and personal assistance to AMO members for nearly 40 years and made many friends along the way - and he never stopped smiling while on the job, despite his suffering."