Joseph J. Panichelli

Joseph John Panichelli, age 92, born October 31, 1925, passed away after a lengthy illness at Chester County Hospital on Saturday morning, July 14, 2018.

Joseph was born in Philadelphia, PA to the late John Joseph Panichelli and Mary Anna (Rapone) Panichelli.  He graduated from Roman Catholic High School in 1943.

At the age of 18, Joseph honorably served during WWII, as a Sergeant First Class in the US Army, serving as a head radio operator for his division for two years.

Joseph received his Bachelor’s in Accounting from St. Joseph University,  Philadelphia, in 1950. He then married the love of his life, Lucretia “Pat” (nee Fumo) in September of 1950. Joseph and Pat stayed in Philadelphia until 1961, then moved to Downingtown,  Romansville, and presently Thorndale.

Joseph worked at several accounting firms and Insurance Companies as an Office Controller. He became self-employed and worked in the bottled water business. Until his death, Joseph still actively worked as an accountant. 

His favorite pastimes included dancing, watching Philadelphia Sports (Go PHILLIES), St. Joseph University Hawks Basketball Team, horse races, and golfing. His prized life aspiration was his family, and spending time with them.

Joseph was a loyal parishioner of St. Joseph’s Parish of Downingtown, where he served as a lector, Eucharistic Minister, and was a Third Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

In addition to his parents, Joseph is preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Margie DiValerio and brother-in-laws, Frank Fumo and Anthony DiValerio.

Joseph is survived and missed by his wife Pat, whom together shared 67 amazing years of marriage, 5 children; John J. Panichelli (Dawn), Patricia Anne Conner) (Lee), Mary Jo Berry (Bruce), Joseph J. Panichelli (Patricia), and Gerard J. Panichelli, sister Carmella A. Finnegan, 14 grandchildren; Brad (Lan), Sarah (Mark), Luke (Michelle), Meg (Lee), Nicci (Rob), Ryan (Rachel), Joseph, Jenna, Gina, Michelle, Jillian, Victoria, Valeri, Molly, 11 Great Grandchildren; Lucy, Makayla, Oliver, Kylee, Harper, Milo, Brandon, Krista, Sloan, Penelope, brother-in-laws John Finnegan and Marty Fumo, sister-in-law Alma Fumo, 3 godchildren, Margie Rapone, Bobby Rapone, and Bill Finnegan, and many loved nephews and nieces and cousins. 

A funeral mass for Joe will be held on Friday July 20, 2018 at 11 am from St. Joseph Church, 338 Manor Ave. Downingtown, where friends may visit from 9:15 to 10:45 am. Interment Hopewell Cemetery, Downingtown, PA. 

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Joseph’s name can be made to St. Joseph’s Church, Downingtown. 

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