Joseph A. DeMaio, lifelong trucker
Joseph A. DeMaio, 83, of Georgetown, passed away peacefully in his home Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023.
Joseph was born in Chester, Pa., in 1940, to his loving parents Vito (Willie) and Mary DeMaio. Joseph served two years in the U.S. Army as a diesel mechanic while stationed in Panama. He married Mozella Jessee in 1974 and they moved to Georgetown 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 during 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 kind-hearted man who supported his family and was always 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 his 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 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 and Gavin Wootten; and numerous beloved in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A funeral service will begin at 1 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 28, at Short Funeral Services chapel, 609 E. Market St., Georgetown, with a time of visitation for family and friends beginning at noon. Interment will follow at Henlopen Memorial Park, Milton.
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 shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com.
