New Street Sign Honors WWII Purple Heart Recipient, Zookeeper

By Sarah Flagg

A former Lincoln Park Zoo senior zookeeper, who before working there served in World War II and earned a Purple Heart, now has a permanent memorial on the North Side.

An honorary street sign now hangs at the northwest corner of Lawrence and Ashland avenues in Lincoln Square, where Sgt. Saul Joseph spent most of his life. At age 92, Joseph died this past Christmas, according to his obituary.

Ald. Ameya Pawar (47th) unveiled his sign this past Sunday, which would have been Joseph’s 93rd birthday.

Born to Assyrian immigrants, Joseph traded fleeing from persecution to growing up during the Great Depression. He joined the National Guard and later served in the 320th Infantry Regiment during WWII.

After sustaining an injury, Joseph still served in the Battle of the Bulge. He earned a Purple Heart for that injury, along with Silver Star and Bronze Stars before being honorably discharged in 1945.

The sergeant’s service didn’t end when he left the military. Joseph continued to devote time and energy to community organizations that help veterans.

Aside from his volunteer work, the he worked in the Lincoln Park Zoo’s Reptile house for 25 years, eventually earning the title of senior zookeeper.

“A modest man, he never wanted recognition and always cared for the well being of his fellow veterans and the people in his community,” Pawar said about Joseph in an e-mail to residents.

Both the alderman’s office and Joseph’s grandson, Saul J. Joseph, worked to erect the street sign close to the former soldier’s home.

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