The obituary, shown below, was originally published in the June 18, 2015
issue of
The Daily Local News (West Chester, PA).
Joseph C. Pesce, formerly of Kennett Square Joseph C. Pesce was born on June 2, 1924 in Kennett Square, Pa. His parents were Joseph Pesce and Adelaide Brondo; born in the Liguria Province of Italy, both moved to the U.S. in the early part of the twentieth century, settling along the Brandywine River in the Wilmington, Delaware area. Joseph lived in Kennett Square throughout most of his life. He attended St. Patrick’s Catholic School and graduated from Kennett High School in 1941. In August 2013, he moved to Sidney, Ohio with his wife Edith, whom he married in 1947. Joseph died in Sidney on June 14, 2015. Joseph is survived by his wife Edith, his three children: Robert J. Pesce, M.D. of Tampa, Florida, Dolores Pesce Wiley, Ph.D. of St. Louis, Missouri and her husband Bill, and Joseph M. Pesce of Chadds Ford, Pa. and his wife Diane; six grandchildren: Jennifer Pesce, M.D., Christina Pesce, Robert Pesce, Jr., Nicole Pesce Fragale, Lisa Pesce, and Helen Julitta Pesce Wiley; and his sister Frances P. Lovisa of Merritt Island, Florida. Joseph honorably served in the U.S. Army from July 1944 through June 1946, including fifteen and a half months in the European Theater, where he was awarded four campaign medals. As a heavy mortar crewman, he was an ammunition handler, gunner, squad leader, and section sergeant in charge of two squads, responsible for their safety and conduct. When he began his military service, Joseph had completed three and a half years of his college education at Villanova University; after his return from the war, he completed his Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering. Joseph worked for NVF Company in Yorklyn, Delaware and Kennett Square, Pa. for forty-two and a half years; his positions included technical manager and manager of process control. Joseph was a lifetime member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church of Kennett Square, the Kennett Fire Company, and the Italian-American Citizens League. He also belonged to the Kennett Square Lions Club, the American Legion, the VFW, and the Kennett Square Golf and Country Club. A private graveside service will be held at St. Patrick’s Cemetery. In memory of Joseph, a contribution may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 111 S. Independence Mall East, Suite 411, Philadelphia, PA 19106 Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com Arrangements are being handled by the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home, Kennett Square, Pa.