Joseph Smith hails from the working class area of Ardoyne,
Belfast. Following the family
tradition, he joined the merchant navy at the age of 15. When the conflict began in the North of
Ireland, Joseph was working on the QE2. Unable to detach himself from the
injustices he saw going on at home, he became involved in the struggle for
peace, which led to his return to the North.
Joseph first came to the States in 1976 and started working
in an industry that still drives his passion – restaurants. In 1987, he purchased Martell’s on East
83rd Street in Manhattan, and at this writing he is CEO of the Bobby
Van’s Steakhouse Group with nine (9) restaurants located up and down the East
Coast.
Joseph has two children from his first marriage, Lewis and
Joanne, who in turn have presented him with two grandchildren respectively,
Tayla and Loughlin. He gladly
gives credit to his stunning wife, Maria, for sticking by him through the
trials and tribulation of his determined success.
Among his many honors, Joseph was Special
Guest of Honor at the 2007 Irish Arts Center Spirit of Ireland Gala dinner for his pivotal role in the Irish Peace process.
