Loverro: Years later, rectifying boxers’ grave injustices

BALA CYNWYD, Pa.

Hidden in a hilly corner of Merion Memorial Park, just outside the city limits of Philadelphia, are the gravestones of Beatrice Tate (born 3/14/20, died 5/6/99) and Nellie J. Garrett (1929-2001).

The cemetery is filled with mothers, fathers, sons and daughters - everyday people with names nobody knows except the family they left behind.

Between Beatrice Tate and Nellie Garrett, though, is a name whose mention will give pause to any boxing fan and bring a smile to any Philly fight fan.

“Gypsy Joe Harris - 1945-1990.”

Gypsy Joe was a welterweight contender who fought in Philadelphia in the 1960s with a unique style and a flamboyant talent for showing off. He wore red shoes and a red satin, double-breasted robe with a black bow on the back. His style landed him on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1967.

Gypsy Joe fought with his hands down at his side and leaned back at different angles, making him difficult to hit - but also helping him see his opponent.

Gypsy Joe fought his entire career with one good eye. And he drank gin and milk.

For 16 years, visitors who came to Merion Memorial Park and walked by the graves of Tate and Garrett had no idea that one of Philadelphia’s legendary fighters also was buried there.

Gypsy Joe lay in an unmarked grave.

That wouldn’t do for John DiSanto. So the South Jersey marketing and financial consultant - and devoted Philly fight fan - contacted Gypsy Joe’s family and began to raise money for a headstone to mark the final resting place of Gypsy Joe.

“I grew up a fan of boxing and would read old magazines and see old photographs,” said DiSanto, 47. “As I got older, I got more nostalgic about Philly boxing. I’ve always been fascinated with the personalities and histories of fighters. The more I read and learned about fighters, the more I became emotionally attached and invested in them.”

DiSanto had started a Web site, phillyboxinghistory.com. Out of research for the site came the desire to mark the place in history of legendary Philly fighters like Gypsy Joe - who died of a heart attack after a history of drug and alcohol abuse - and others who for one reason or another were buried in unmarked graves.

“I found a member of Gypsy Joe’s family, a brother who lived in Atlanta,” DiSanto said. “Then I found a few sisters in South Jersey and got the process going.

“These fighters could have been champions and used to walk around as celebrities, but no one really remembers them now,” DiSanto said. “The families like the idea, and I think the fighters would have liked to be remembered.”

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