Joseph Vavricka ’74
Joe died May 28, 2020, at the age of 67 of cancer complications.
Joe came to Princeton from Fort Lee, N.J., where he was a high school teammate of another Princeton basketball star, Ted Manakas ’73. A member of Tiger Inn, Joe played varsity basketball for three years, the last two as a starter, where his corner jumper was his signature shot. He led Princeton to a key win over Columbia with a 16-point performance in the first half. He would occasionally take his roommates to Dillon Gym and gently demonstrate the vast gap in athletic talent that exists between high school jocks and D1 college basketball players.
After Princeton Joe played pro ball in Spain and then worked as a gracious organizer at Club Med before settling into a career with IBM. His wife, Jane, was the first girl he ever kissed in seventh grade at a spin-the-bottle game. They never dated but at a 1999 high school reunion, Joe asked if she was still married. She wasn’t, and six months later Joe and Jane were married.
He is survived by Jane, his two stepsons, several grandchildren, and his mother.
Paw in print
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George De Salvo
1 Week AgoRemembering a Friend
Seven years ago, I lost a very dear friend, Joe Vavricka. I often think back to the two years I lived in Fort Lee, New Jersey, when I was in seventh and eighth grade. During those years, Joe was my best friend.
Joe was truly a Renaissance man. He was an excellent student, a great athlete, and a talented guitar player. But what I remember most about Joe was his personality. He always had a smile on his face and was always encouraging and supportive of the people around him.
Joe was one of those special people who left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. Even after all these years, he remains someone I will always admire and remember fondly. I feel fortunate to have had him as my best friend during those important years of my life.