It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Joseph A. Blithe, Sr.  He was a loving husband, father, grand-father, brother, uncle and friend. Joseph passed away at Wilmington Hospital, Wilmington, DE on Tuesday, 28 May 2024, he was 84.

Joseph graduated from Ridley Township High School in 1957. He served in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard as a Fireman and later worked at Reynold Springs in PA. He retired in 2000 from Scott Paper Company, PA after 31 years of service as a machinist. Although he was retired, he wanted to fill his spare time with keeping busy, so he accepted a position as a bus driver for disabled children for a school district in Pennsylvania. Joseph was a resident of Claymont, Delaware for over 52 years.

In his early years, Joseph raced motorcycles and even had a terrible crash where he fractured his collarbone. Joseph was an avid Model Airplane Builder/Flyer and HAM Radio enthusiast, whose call sign was WB3GVD. He belonged to several clubs including the Masonic Lodge, DE and the Moose Lodge, DE. He loved repairing automobiles and anything that had moving parts. He also loved taking things apart to see how they worked. He was very proud of his late Uncle Albert Blithe, who served in the Army in World War II and participated in the D-Day Landing on the beaches in Normandy. He often spoke about him and even attended several WWII survivor gatherings and luncheons, which also honored his uncle.

Most importantly, Joseph was dedicated to his family and made them his priority. He always looked forward to family gatherings, especially when all four of his children could be present. He was extremely proud of all of his children and grandchildren and supported them in any way they needed throughout their lives. He was especially supportive of his wife, Darlene, when health issues caused him to pick up new skills, to include learning how to do laundry. Joseph not only was a loving and caring man who would help anyone in need, he had a great sense of humor and enjoyed sharing funny stories and jokes with family and friends.

Joseph is preceded in death by his mother and father, Rebecca Blithe and John J. Blithe, and his brother James Blithe.

Joseph is survived by his wife of 60 years, Darlene D. Blithe; his four children, Darlene D. Blanch (James), Joseph A. Blithe, Jr., Christina M. Blithe, Andrew P. Blithe (Melissa); his four grandchildren, William M. Blithe (Christina), Julia L. Blithe (Andrew), MacKenzie E. Blithe (Joseph Jr.), Drew N. Blithe (Andrew); his brother, Albert Blithe; and many nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held at the Gebhart Funeral Home, 3401 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, DE 19703 on Thursday, June 6, 2024 from 10:00am until 11:30am, where a funeral service will begin at 11:30am. Burial will follow in Lawn Croft Cemetery, 1000 West Ridge Road, Linwood, PA 19061.

To offer condolences, please visit:
Gebhartfuneralhomes.com
302-798-7726