Joseph J. “Joe” Harding - Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Homes & Crematory

Joseph J. “Joe” Harding

March 12, 1947 - February 21, 2024

Joseph J. “Joe” Harding, age 76, of Middletown, DE, passed away on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.

Born in New Brunswick, New Jersey on March 12, 1947, he was a son of the late Joseph J. and Ethel M. (Eichler) Harding, Sr. Joe was a graduate of New Brunswick High School and Rutgers University. He was the Director of Management and Budget and Purchasing for Ocean County, New Jersey for 34 years. In addition, Joe served on boards for both the Ocean County Vocational School and Ocean County Library Commission.

Joe moved to Worton, Maryland in 2011 with Julie and their Portuguese Water Dogs. In Kent County he served on the board for Homeports as well as the Library Board – where he was instrumental in getting the library in Chestertown completely renovated.

Joe loved to travel – especially to Ireland. He visited the Emerald Isle over 30 times! Barbados was probably his second favorite with Nova Scotia, Maine, and Florida close behind.

Golfing and refinishing cedar chests were Joe’s hobbies for many years. The cedar chests would be gifts for friends and the golf would take him to many courses nearby and overseas.

Joe was an avid music appreciator. He listened to all kinds of music and was especially fond of The Saw Doctors and Chieftains. He was a lover of ALL sports as a spectator, U Conn Girls basketball to Manchester United, he followed them all!

Joe leaves behind his life partner, Julie Lawrence; her daughters, Rachel Craig and Rebecca Craig; nephews, Shawn Romanchek and Brian Romanchek; great-niece and great-nephew, Taylor and Kayden Romanchek; as well as God-daughter, Caitlin O’Dowd.

A Funeral Mass will be offered at 11 am on Friday, March 8, 2024 at St. Joseph Parish, 319 East Main Street, Middletown, DE. Inurnment will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joe’s memory to your local library.

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28 Condolences for Joseph J. “Joe” Harding

  • Julie, So sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts.

  • I knew Joe through colleen and Rutgers days. Enjoying many super bowl parties over the years. May he rest in peace. Condolences to Julie and the family

  • Marlane and I send our sincere condolences to you, Julie and your entire family. We hope that a lifetime of warm memories help you through this difficult time.

  • Julie, Shawn, Brian, Taylor, Kayden and family
    We are so sorry to hear of Joe’s passing on. He will be missed, as we also miss Colleen, and Frank too who passed in the past year too. We are so sad and wish the whole Harding family our deepest condolences at this sad time.

  • To a man who loved his family, his life , his home and Portuguese water dogs 🐶. Cheers to a proud and accomplished man who had a zest for life . Enjoyed your friendship and a privilege to have k own him

  • So sorry to hear this. Many condolences to you all.

  • Joe was the consummate gentleman. Always smiling and willing to have a conversation even if he just met you. Our sympathy to Julie and all the family as you navigate through your grief. May good memories bring you comfort as you heal. Michael and Louise Veith 💔

  • Julie, so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and his family.

  • Rest in Peace Joe. Condolences to the family.
    Steve & Ruthanne Scaturro

  • Julie, Cheryl and I extend our sincere condolences to you and your family. It was our honor to know Joe and have him as a great neighbor. He worked hard at bringing people together and will be missed. We pray that Joe is at peace. Mike and Cheryl Murphy

  • I am so sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. Joe brought me into the Ocean County Library as Head of Technology in February, 2008 and we have been friends ever since. He was always a Good Man, and a Good Friend. He will be missed by me, and all the people who had the good luck to know him.. Rest In Peace Joe…

  • Julie, We are so sorry to hear of your loss. May Joe rest in peace and always live on in your memories. Prayers going put to you and your family 🙏 .

  • Julie, Rachel, and Becca, sending our condolences to you at this time. So sorry. Love, Kristin and Reid

  • So sorry for your loss Julie. Please accept our condolences.
    Irene, Lisa, and Joe.

  • Joe Harding was a library commissioner for many of the 39 years that I was at the Ocean County Library. He was instrumental in making the library great, through his support and guidance and wisdom. I appreciated his insight and he helped me make smart decisions throughout my career as a library administrator. Condolences to his family.

  • There are so many gracious things that I could say about “Irish” Joe. I knew him to be the the person who so many could turn to when they needed a friend. Sincere condolences to Julie & family.

  • Julie, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. May Joe live on in your heart and in your memories. RIP Joe, God Bless.
    Rosemarie and Joe Talarico

  • Hugs and prayers to Julie and your family.
    Bill and Louise

  • Julie, Brian, Shawn and Family
    So sorry for your loss. I worked with Joe at the Ocean County Purchasing Department for his entire career. I have a lot of good memories working with him. So sorry 🙏
    Peggy Bruno

  • Sending my deepest condolences to a good high school friend. I never missed the football games at NBHS. Good times in our friendship group.
    God Bless you. RIP. Jan

  • So sorry for your loss Julie. A very nice man, loved by so many and we were all lucky to have known him. You are in my thoughts.
    Margo Long

  • Julie, Everyone here at Church Hill Theatre sends their sincere condolences. Please let us know if we can help in any way.

  • Julie. Celeste and I wanted to extend our heartfelt condolences on the passing of Joe.
    We knew he was battling health issues for quite some time but was hoping he would recover.
    We were very fond of Joe and always enjoyed being in his company. He was always fun to be with, upbeat , positive and charistmatic. I enjoyed our discussions over the years on a variety of topics. He will be sorely missed.
    We do plan on attending the mass on March 8th and look forward to seeing you .

  • Deepest sympathies, from all the staff and friends of Julie, Rebecca and Rachel at The Black Sheep

  • Julie, Barbara and I send our sincere condolences to you and your family on your loss of Joe. I will always think of Joe when it comes to the men’s breakfast as he made those events a fun and meaningful experience. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
    Frank and Barbara

  • Sending much love your way during this difficult time. 💕

  • Our sincere condolences to your entire family. We shared so many great times and golfing moments. He will be missed by all the members of the Shea family.

  • I worked for Joe for 25 years at Ocean County Purchasing Department and he was the BEST boss ever. Our office was not just co-workers but family and that had a lot to do with Joe.

    I’m glad I got to see him this past spring and catch up.

    Rest In Peace Joe