Joseph William McQuaide, professional photographer
Joseph William McQuaide, 86, of Lewes, passed away at home Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016. He was born Sept. 2, 1930, in Philadelphia, Pa., son of the late, Joseph William Sr. and Mary Anna (Wagman) McQuaide.
Joe graduated from Elkton High School, Class of 1947. He met and married the love of his life, Bettina Walls, in 1952. A day after they were married, Joe left home to proudly serve his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War with the 101st Airborne. Following the war, he worked for the telephone company as a chief switchman.
For many years he made his love of photography into his own business, taking wedding pictures for hundreds of couples. Joe was an active member of the Telephone Pioneers of America, the Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary, the Sussex County Professional Photographers of Delaware Club and he was a past president of the United Way of Sussex County.
Joe loved to reminisce, especially about working for the telephone company and vacations to Alaska and across the U.S. with Betty. He enjoyed his trips to the "coffee shop" (Arby's), where he would enjoy a cup of tea and tell stories twice a day with his friends. He was also an avid fisherman.
Joe was known by his family for engineering things. He always had a great idea on how to fix something or make it work better. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend who will be dearly missed.
In addition to his parents, Joe is preceded in death by his loving wife of 53 years, Betty McQuaide, in 2004. He is survived by his children: Joseph William McQuaide III and his wife, Elaine of Elkton, Md., Mary Murabito and her husband Neal of Lewes, Martin McQuaide and his girlfriend Fay Parsons of Lewes, and Emily McQuaide of Lewes; his grandchildren: the Rev. Joseph William McQuaide IV, Jeremy McQuaide, Adam Murabito, Sara McQuaide, Laura Ward, Samantha McQuaide, Erica McQuaide, Brianna McQuaide and Kris LeGates; two great-grandchildren; his brother, Jim McQuaide and his wife Pat of Elkton; and his companion of 10 years, Nancy Smith of Pennsylvania.
Memorial services will be held Friday, Nov. 4, at 11 a.m., at St. Georges Chapel, 20271 Beaver Dam Road, Harbeson, where friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will follow the services with military honors at St. George’s Cemetery.
The family would like to express special thank yous to the CNAs who took wonderful care of Joe for the past six months: Dee, Vontae, Susan, Jennifer and Sherral. Their loving care is greatly appreciated. They also are grateful to the care provided by Delaware Hospice, especially his nurse, Donna.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joe's name to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.
Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
Please visit Joe's Life Memorial Webpage and sign his online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
