Arbor Investments (“Arbor”), is saddened to announce the passing of Co-Founder and retired Vice Chairman Joseph P. Campolo. Joe died peacefully at his home in Winnetka, IL surrounded by his family on October 24, 2022 after a courageous battle with brain cancer. He was 54 years old.
For more than 20 years, Joe was instrumental in the co-creation and growth of Arbor. Partnering with ambitious entrepreneurs and families, Joe built several successful food and beverage companies during his tenure, including Gold Standard Baking, the sale of which was recognized by Buyout Magazine in 2016 as “Deal of the Year”, and Greco and Sons, which was sold to Sysco Corporation in 2021.
Joe’s thriving business career spanned three decades in Chicago. Prior to co-founding Arbor, he started his career at Andersen Consulting then went into finance and commercial banking. A native of Pittsburgh, Joe graduated cum laude from Villanova University (BS ’90) and earned an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz Graduate School of Business (’93).
Commenting on his passing, Arbor Co-Founder and CEO Gregory J. Purcell said, “We are all heartbroken. Joe and I were extraordinarily lucky to participate in this fantastic private equity industry together for more than two decades having worked together at American National Bank and Trust Company of Chicago in our 20s. We traveled the country together running down food deals and enjoyed a phenomenal run as partners, and more importantly, as friends. As I reflect back, Arbor has evolved so much from the early days of Joe, me, and a fax machine when we started in 1999. Joe’s competitiveness will forever be his legacy, woven into the fabric of Arbor. He left his imprint not only on those who had the privilege to work alongside him, but also on the entrepreneurs, leaders and associates of so many food companies.”
Eddie Greco, Founder and CEO of Greco and Sons stated, “My family and I are without words upon learning of Joe’s untimely passing. Our sincerest condolences to his immediate family, friends, colleagues and the many others that Joe touched throughout his life. I first met Joe around six years ago as our family business was exploring investment partners; we connected immediately and I was certain we would work well together. We shared the same tenacity, business ethics, and family values. I will forever be indebted to Joe for his guidance and contribution to our companies. Without him, Greco and Sons would assuredly not be where it is today. He will be deeply missed by our family and so many others.”
In addition to his business accomplishments, Joe’s life was marked by his commitment to educational and philanthropic institutions. Joe was an active board member of the Basser Center Advisory Board for BRCA at Penn Medicine and he served as a Trustee for Villanova University and Chair of the University’s Endowment Investment Committee. This past spring, Villanova University honored Joe with a Doctor of Humane Letters Honoris Causa for his generosity, dedication and loyalty to the university.
Joe is survived by his wife Angie and daughters Mia, Caroline and Claudia.