Dateline May 21, 2006
Long Island, New York 

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 Joseph E. Verderber Sr., community leader, respected businessman and President and Chief Executive Officer of Astro Moving & Storage and three other Astro affiliated companies, Dowling College proudly recognizes you with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Commercial Science. Dowling College commends you, Joseph E. Verderber Sr., for overcoming a childhood filled with the loss of your parents, which left you homeless and on your own from age 15. Yet, you used

the street smarts you gained, a work ethic that wouldn’t quit and tenacity of steel in jobs that led you from bouncer and bartender to truck driver to successful entrepreneur and businessman. Dowling College honors you Joseph E. Verderber Sr. for persisting past the hardships which led you to drop out of high school, despite being a starting quarterback during your freshman and sophomore years, to work for Allied Van Lines, tend bar and ultimately join the U.S. Marine Corps. Joseph E. Verderber Sr., Dowling College recognizes your service in the Marines where you received an Honorable Discharge and while in service you also received your High School two year equivalent college level diploma. You were later honored by your former high school on your 60th birthday where your former football coach presented you with a diploma in recognition of your struggles and ultimate triumphs. Dowling College recognizes you, Joseph E. Verderber Sr., for living the American Dream, marrying your High School sweetheart, Judith E. Williams, to whom you have been married for 47 years, and had a family of six children. We admire the love and support you provided your family while continuing to work for companies like Allied Truck, Paragon Oil and Metropolitan Life Insurance. Joseph E. Verderber Sr., when you purchased a bankrupt moving company at the age of twenty four, you took another step toward becoming the successful businessman you were destined to become. Your entrepreneurialism was always evident, including the time you purchased a dilapidated 58 unit apartment complex for
$15,000 and turned it into a successful multi-family housing complex. The $1 million proceeds from this real estate investment enabled you to start a new trucking company; Astro Moving & Storage Corp. Dowling College applauds your fearlessness and your commitment to making this business succeed. Dowling College commends you. Joseph E. Verderber Sr. for serving your community as a Knights of Columbus member and stature as a 3’rd Degree Knight, your dedication as Vice President and Coach for the Dix Hills Little League, and in your role as president of the Huntington Boy’s Club. Dowling College also celebrates your achievement as the recipient of The Lee Farber Award for outstanding devotion to the youth of Long Island. Joseph E. Verderber Sr., Dowling College acknowledges your position on the Bishop’s Annual Appeal and role as an active member of St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church in Dix Hills. We recognize your subsequent induction by Cardinal O’Connor. along with your wife, Judy, into the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulcher at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, as a culmination of  your lifelong commitment t serving others.
Joseph E. Verderber Sr., successful businessman, epitome of the American Dream, loving husband, father of six and grandfather of 24.  Dowling College is proud to honor you today.

*Excerpted from the May 21^st, 2006 commencement Program, Dowling College Honor Societies.