Obituary for Joseph J. Stella Jr.
JOSEPH J. STELLA, JR, age 90, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2023. Devoted husband to Madeleine Stella (nee Payne). Loving father to Carol Henrici and her husband, Michael. Beloved grandfather to Meaghan DiGiacomo (Christopher), Michael Henrici (Kate), and Ryan Henrici (Kelley). Dear great grandfather to Abigail and Isabelle DiGiacomo.
Born in 1932 in Beacon NY, Joe was the son of Joseph J. Stella Sr and Josephine Stella (nee Moscato). An avid athlete, Joe was a standout player on Beacon High School’s soccer, football, basketball and baseball teams and later on the SUNY Albany baseball team. It was at SUNY where he met the love of his life, his partner for the next 67 years, Madeleine. They were inseparable.
The 1950s saw Joe honorably serve his country in the United States Army, earn his MBA from Syracuse University, and witness the birth of his only child, Carol Lynn. He also began a life-long career as comptroller, director, and division manager with New York Telephone/NYNEX until his retirement in 1990.
Retirement brought a new member into his family, Max, the sheepdog mix, was a gift to Joe from Carol and Mike. A shock to he and Madeleine’s life, Max became a fixture whose antics could fill volumes. Nonetheless, Max was a much loved member of Joe’s family.
In 1998, Joe and Madeleine relocated from their home in Suffern, NY to West Chester, PA to be closer to their growing family, their daughter, son-in-law, and three grandchildren. His immediate family brought him amazing joy and, in retirement, was able to fully enjoy his grandchildren’s accomplishments in the classroom, on the athletic fields and pools and, most recently as each married to start their own families growing his.
An avid golfer for decades, Joe could often be found on Spook Rock Golf Course in Suffern, NY or Hershey’s Mill Golf Course in West Chester, PA. During the winter months, he and Madeleine often teed up at Sawgrass at their home in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. His golf passion, however, was not limited to knocking the little white ball around. Joe was a starter at Spook Rock Golf Course and, in a more substantial role, was the President, Board of Directors of Hershey Mill Golf Course.
The patriarch of the family, the family’s rock will be dearly missed.
Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation Monday, April 3, 2023, from 9:30am until 10:15am Saints Peter and Paul Church, 1325 Boot Road, West Chester, PA 19380, followed by his funeral mass 10:30am. Interment with military honors will be in Washington Memorial Chapel Cemetery, Valley Forge National Historical Park, Valley Forge, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Chester County Hospital Foundation, 701 East Marshall Street, West Chester, PA 19380 or www.chestercountyhospital.org/giving/ways-to-give/make-a-gift-now
Share memories at www.DiGiacomoFuneralHome.com.
Born in 1932 in Beacon NY, Joe was the son of Joseph J. Stella Sr and Josephine Stella (nee Moscato). An avid athlete, Joe was a standout player on Beacon High School’s soccer, football, basketball and baseball teams and later on the SUNY Albany baseball team. It was at SUNY where he met the love of his life, his partner for the next 67 years, Madeleine. They were inseparable.
The 1950s saw Joe honorably serve his country in the United States Army, earn his MBA from Syracuse University, and witness the birth of his only child, Carol Lynn. He also began a life-long career as comptroller, director, and division manager with New York Telephone/NYNEX until his retirement in 1990.
Retirement brought a new member into his family, Max, the sheepdog mix, was a gift to Joe from Carol and Mike. A shock to he and Madeleine’s life, Max became a fixture whose antics could fill volumes. Nonetheless, Max was a much loved member of Joe’s family.
In 1998, Joe and Madeleine relocated from their home in Suffern, NY to West Chester, PA to be closer to their growing family, their daughter, son-in-law, and three grandchildren. His immediate family brought him amazing joy and, in retirement, was able to fully enjoy his grandchildren’s accomplishments in the classroom, on the athletic fields and pools and, most recently as each married to start their own families growing his.
An avid golfer for decades, Joe could often be found on Spook Rock Golf Course in Suffern, NY or Hershey’s Mill Golf Course in West Chester, PA. During the winter months, he and Madeleine often teed up at Sawgrass at their home in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. His golf passion, however, was not limited to knocking the little white ball around. Joe was a starter at Spook Rock Golf Course and, in a more substantial role, was the President, Board of Directors of Hershey Mill Golf Course.
The patriarch of the family, the family’s rock will be dearly missed.
Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation Monday, April 3, 2023, from 9:30am until 10:15am Saints Peter and Paul Church, 1325 Boot Road, West Chester, PA 19380, followed by his funeral mass 10:30am. Interment with military honors will be in Washington Memorial Chapel Cemetery, Valley Forge National Historical Park, Valley Forge, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Chester County Hospital Foundation, 701 East Marshall Street, West Chester, PA 19380 or www.chestercountyhospital.org/giving/ways-to-give/make-a-gift-now
Share memories at www.DiGiacomoFuneralHome.com.