Heartfelt Farewell for Slain Brisbane Businessman Greg Josephson

Hundreds gathered in Brisbane on July 14, 2025, to mourn Greg Josephson, co-founder of the Universal Store fashion chain, allegedly killed at his home during a teenage party. The emotional funeral, marked by tributes of “love you forever,” highlighted Josephson’s legacy as a retail pioneer and beloved family man, while raising questions about community safety.

The service at St John’s Cathedral in Brisbane’s Central Business District (CBD) drew family, friends, and business leaders to honor Josephson, 58, who was found dead at his Wavell Heights home on July 5, 2025. Police allege a 15-year-old boy stabbed him during a chaotic party attended by dozens of uninvited youths. The teenager, charged with murder, remains in custody, with a committal hearing set for August. “Greg was a visionary who lived for his family and community,” said Universal Store Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Alice Barbery, per The Nightly on July 14, 2025. Mourners, including Josephson’s wife and three children, shared memories of his warmth and entrepreneurial spirit, with his daughter’s eulogy quoting, “Dad, we’ll love you forever.”

Josephson, who co-founded Universal Store in 1999, grew it into a 100-store retail giant, embodying the Australian dream of hard work and success. Tributes on X praised his generosity, with user @RetailInsider noting, “Greg’s stores were more than shops; they were community hubs.” Yet, the tragedy has sparked outrage over youth crime in Queensland, with critics arguing the Labor government’s soft approach to juvenile justice fails to deter violence. The state’s Youth Justice Act, prioritizing rehabilitation over punishment, has been slammed as inadequate, especially after recent high-profile incidents.

The funeral underscored a community grappling with grief and frustration. Calls for tougher penalties and better policing grow louder, as families demand safer streets. Josephson’s death, a stark reminder of unchecked youth crime, challenges authorities to act decisively. As mourners laid flowers and shared stories of a man who shaped Australian retail, the service was both a farewell and a call for change to protect others from similar heartbreak.