Joseph was born on February 22, 1937 in South Philadelphia and went home to be with the Lord on July 6, 2024. Having lived in Delaware since the age of 3, he always considered himself a proud Delawarean. He graduated from St. Thomas School in 1951, Salesianum High School in 1955 and Goldey Beacom College in 1960, majoring in Accounting and Business. He served his country proudly in the Delaware Air National Guard from 1957 to 1963. He was honorably discharged with the NCO Rank of Staff Sergeant. Following graduation from college, he worked for Continental American Life Insurance Company rising from the position of entry level clerk to department head and corporate officer. He retired after 33 years of service. His career was spent as an Underwriter for Life and Health Insurance, earning the prestigious industry designations of FLMI (Fellow, Life Management Institute) and AALU (Associate, Academy of Life Underwriting). In 1978, his company appointed him to the United Way of Delaware as their Loaned Executive to assist in that year's successful campaign. He also served on the Board and as President of the Delaware Valley Home Office Life Underwriting Association.

Prior to his death and to keep busy during his retirement, he worked as a school bus driver for the Colonial School District, specializing in the safe transport of Special Needs Children to and from School. He loved sports but his favorite to participate in and watch was golf. His annual visits to his brother Bob and family in N. Augusta, S.C. and seeing the Masters was a special hi-lite of his life. In honor of his late uncle and childhood hero, Joe joined the Knights of Columbus, Msgr. Dewson Council 13821 at St. Ann's. His uncle was a 4th Degree Knight in Philadelphia.

His deep love for his wife Miriam and their 8 children, 13 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, meant the most to him. He is pre-deceased by his parents, Joseph A. Harris Sr. and Anna Baxter Harris, his son Joseph A. III, brother James Harris, and nephew Wade. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Miriam Montague Harris; 7 children, daughter Kathleen Malick and husband Jeff, son Michael and wife Michele, daughter Sharon Simons and husband John, son Stephen and his wife Judy, sons Thomas and David, and daughter Jennifer Seramone and her husband Julian; his 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday July 13th at 10:30 A.M. at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Gilpin and Union Streets, Wilmington, DE 19806. Burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, please send any contributions to Salesianum School, 1801 N. Broom Street Wilmington, DE 19802 in Joe's memory. Online condolences may be made to mealeyfuneralhomes.com.