Joseph S. Dietrich Sr.

Joseph S. Dietrich Sr. (1932-2015)
Joseph S. Dietrich Sr. of Hatfield died on Dec. 9, 2015, following a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. He was 83. The last days of his life were spent with loving family and friends.
Joe grew up in the Kensington section of Philadelphia and fondly remembered his childhood as part of a close-knit family. As a young man, Joe served in the U.S. Army, often remarking that this experience lasted for 3 years, 4 months and 2 days. He was stationed at the Sandia base in New Mexico and his first assignment was with the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles. He later worked on the Manhattan Project.
Joe enjoyed his work over many years in the finance department at Ford Motor Company before retiring in 1994. After his retirement from Ford, Joe spent more than a decade riding the North Penn School District buses and seeing to the safety of the community’s children.
Joe was truly a family man and cherished time with his family playing board games and traveling, particularly cruising. Son of the late Helene (Sauter) Dietrich and Joseph Francis (“Bake”) Dietrich, he is survived by his wife of almost 63 years, Dolores; his three children, son Joseph S. Dietrich Jr. and his wife, Sharon; daughter Deborah J. Dietrich and her partner, David Pendleton; and son Thomas K. Dietrich and his wife, Michele; and five grandchildren: Robert J. Dietrich, Timothy J. Cotellese, Kirstin H. Cotellese, Patrick D. Dietrich and Kasey R. Dietrich; and his brother Thomas H. Dietrich and his wife, Sylvia. He will be missed by ever so many but remembered for his wit, warmth, loyalty, political commentary and never-wavering love.
Before becoming ill, Joe was an active member of the Church of the Holy Spirit. Memorial contributions may be made to the church, or to the Abramson Center at 1425 Horsham Road, North Wales, PA 19454 and designated for use in their excellent hospice program.
Funeral home website: www.HuffandLakjer.com