PH Swimmer Mark Joseph dies at 56

“Mr. Joseph made a significant impact in Philippine swimming by promoting the sport at the grassroots level and by raising the Philippine swimming to international standards.” – Philippine Swimming Inc. (Photo: Mark P. Joseph/Facebook)

Former Philippine Swimming Inc. (PSI) President Mark Joseph died peacefully in his sleep in the United Kingdom, where he lived with his brother Chris, at the age of 56 last Thursday, March 7.

Current Philippine Swimming Inc. (PSI) President Lani Velasco first confirmed the news in a statement explaining that after Chris wait for Joseph to come down for breakfast in the morning for a long period of time, he checked up on his brother and found him dead in his room. In the statement, the PSI shared, “Mr. Joseph made a significant impact in Philippine swimming by promoting the sport at the grassroots level and by raising the Philippine swimming to international standards.” They also shared that Joseph’s sister and the rest of their family are making arrangements for the funeral services.

After reading the messages of condolences from around the world for their brother, the Joseph family, comprised of Gordon, Mary Grace, and Christian, thanked everyone, stating, “We admired Mark immensely. As a champion swimmer, he was a role model; at the helm of Philippine swimming, he was a tireless leader, meeting every challenge with a combination of grace and steel. But we will miss him most of all as a brother and a best friend, as will the very many people whose lives he touched with his kindness and generosity.”

They revealed that Mark was studying theology before he passed, sharing, “Although he excelled as a professional athlete and was passionate about raising the standards of the sport to which he dedicated most of his life, we know he will want to be remembered foremost as a someone who encouraged others to make the most of their God-given gifts.” The Joseph family’s statement concluded, “He so wanted to create champions, not just in terms of athletic prowess, but in how one embraced life, with a sense of gratitude and humility for every opportunity and blessing.”

Besides being head of numerous swimming federations, specifically the PSI for 12 years, Joseph was a De La Salle University (DLSU) Hall of Famer for swimming and a councillor for the city of Manila.