Joseph Angelo Demaio

GEORGETOWN – Joseph A. DeMaio, 83, passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday December 23, 2023.

Joseph was born in Chester, PA in 1940, to his loving parents Vito (Willie) and Mary DeMaio. Joseph served 2 years in the Army as a diesel mechanic while stationed in Panama. He married Mozella Jessee in 1974 and they moved to Georgetown, Del with their family.

Joseph was a truck driver his entire adult life until he retired in December 2010. Joseph traveled countless miles on the road and won several safety awards in his time at Preston Trucking. He loved growing a garden every year with his wife Zella, if he wasn't working on his truck he was in the garden. Joe and Zella also loved having animals and had a variety including cows, pigs, geese, chickens, and a pony named Kathy, just to name a few.

Joseph was a kindhearted man who supported his family and could count on to always be there when a family member needed help. He was a loyal, loving husband who adored his wife, and we know he is with her now, but we all will miss him very much.

In addition to his parents, and wife Mozella, Joseph was preceded in death by his daughter Lollitta Pennell.

He was survived by his siblings, Agnes Hollar, Amelia Hall, Vito (Junior) DeMaio and Lawrence (Larry) DeMaio; children Nancy Griffith, Haskell Jessee, and Rhonda Taylor; grandchildren Tina Wootten, Laura (Shelly) Piela, John (Jay) Hastings, Joseph (Joey) Jones, Richard (Richie) Jessee, Heather Adams, Amber Pennell, Joshua Adams, and Jessica Lewis; great grandchildren Kirstie Wootten, TJ Wootten, Kelsey Wootten, Charlie Gluck, Crystal Gluck, Shane Jones, Josephine (JoJo) Jones, Liam Piela, Harmony Piela, Donnie McClements, Destiny Patterson and Ruthie Jessee; great-great grandchildren Alan Adams Jr (AJ), Austin Adams, Gavin Wootten and numerous beloved in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins.

A funeral service will begin at 1:00pm on Thursday, December 28, 2023 in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, 609 E. Market Street, Georgetown, De 19947 with a time of visitation for family and friends beginning at Noon. Interment will follow at Henlopen Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers the family welcomes memorial contributions to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, De 19963.

Online condolences are welcome for the family at www.shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com