Joseph G. DiDonato

Joseph George DiDonato was born on October 10, 1929, in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, to Italian immigrants, the youngest of five children. He was raised in a warm and loving home, where, watching his father work tirelessly on the railroad and his mother diligently maintain a home rooted in the traditions of her native country, he learned the values of hard work, resourcefulness, and, most importantly, family.

Joe enlisted in the military before his eighteenth birthday (without telling his mother), motivated both by his brother’s service in WWII, and his love for his country. He served four years stationed in Tokyo, and spoke fondly of his friends and memories from his military days throughout his life.

Upon completing his service, he pursued his degree in accounting from University of Delaware, and after working with his brothers for many years, he fulfilled his dream of starting his own business. Joe ran his service station on route 52 in Greenville, Delaware for over fifty years, becoming a fixture in the community. He faithfully served in the Lions Club of Delaware, was an avid supporter of the Little Sisters of the Poor, and lent his support to many local causes.

Joe was an avid golfer, as evidenced by both his hours spent on the greens and the countless tournaments he watched on television. He played some of the most famous courses in the world, including St. Andrews in Scotland, but always maintained that his favorite was Cavaliers Country Club.

A world traveler, he welcomed any opportunity to visit somewhere new. Yet while his adventures took him to nearly every continent, he said time and again that there was no place like home, and he always loved returning to the United States.

Above all, Joe cherished his family. He carried the values of his childhood throughout his life and instilled that same devotion to family in his daughters and grandchildren. His legacy is one of diligence, generosity, and love — not simply love expressed through words, but love demonstrated through actions. He leaves behind family and friends who loved him and will miss him deeply, most especially Mary, Gerry, Sarah, and Paul.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30am on November 21st at St. Joseph’s on the Brandywine Catholic Church, 10 Old Church Wilmington, DE 19807. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Joe’s memory to your favorite animal rescue.