Joseph M DeAngelis

Joseph M. DeAngelis passed away on Thursday, February 25, 2016 peacefully in his sleep. He is now reunited with his loving wife of 64 years, Bernice M. DeAngelis (nee Weed) who proceeded him in death November 8, 2010. Joe was the son of the late Brandino and Gentilina (Ciotti) De Angelis and was born in Philadelphia, PA on October 15, 1926. He was 89 years old. Joe was an amazing person and was well loved and respected by many. He was a wonderful and loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Joe would always tell everyone that he was richer than any millionaire because he was blessed with the best family and friends in the world. Joe served in the US Navy during WWII. In 1951, he moved to Bristol, PA to begin work at Rohm & Haas where he was employed for forty years and was a member of the company Fire Brigade. Joe is a life member of the Bristol Consolidated Volunteer Fire Department and was a past President. He was also a member of the Bristol Auxiliary Police Force. Later, became a Bucks County Constable for 18 years and served as the first President of the Pennsylvania Constable Association in 1968. Joe also served as a Committeeman of the Fifth Ward in Bristol and was active in politics. Joe was a member of the St. John's Chapter of the Artisans and the Golden Artisans. He is a past Master Artisan and served on the Board of Directors and received a lifetime achievement award for his service. He belonged to the American Legion Post 120 of Philadelphia, PA and is a former Post Commander. At age 84 he became a member of the Mason University Lodge of Philadelphia and received the 3rd degree. He was also a member the Moose Lodge. While Joe and Bernie were busy working and raising their family Joe always had a real love of firefighting. This led him to purchase the first of several antique fire trucks in 1987 which was a 1960 Maxim ladder truck. By then Joe was living in Bensalem and he had to have a pole barn built to house this first truck. In 1992, he and other enthusiasts founded the Gibson Road Antique Fire Association where he served as president for 11 years. Joe also is a member of SPAAMFA, a national Antique Fire Association. Joe was a devoted parishioner of St. Ephrem Church in Bensalem. In addition to his wife and parents, Joe was predeceased by his sister Natalie Scott and brother Brandino DeAngelis. He is survived by his children: Diane Thackray and husband John, Joseph DeAngelis, Ronald DeAngelis and wife Rita and Carole DeAngelis Miller. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Jim Brogel, John David Thackray and wife Jennifer, Kristen DeAngelis, Alexander DeAngelis and wife Amanda, Miranda James and husband Carlos, Gentilina Miller, Robert Miller, Brandin DeAngelis. Great grandchildren: Katlyn, Natalina, Bryson, Aidan, Kendahl, Liam, Veyda, and Abbie. His brothers, Philip DeAngelis and wife Jane, John DeAngelis and wife Helen, Sister-in-law’s Nancy DeAngelis and Cora Weed. Relatives and Friends are invited to call Friday evening March 4, 2016 at the Galzerano Funeral Home, 3500 Bristol – Oxford Valley Road, Levittown, PA 19057 from 6 to 9 p.m. and again on Saturday, March 5, from 8 to 9:15 am. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 am at St. Ephrem Church in Bensalem and burial will be in the Resurrection Cemetery. Family would like to send a special thank you to all the caregivers from St. Mary’s Hospital, Crestview Center, Visiting Angels, Veterans Administration Health Care System and to the staff of the Galzerano Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations be made to the Bristol Consolidated Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 2125, Bristol, PA 19007 To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joseph M DeAngelis, please visit our flower store.