Joseph “Joe” Jannicelli

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joseph “Joe” Jannicelli, loving husband of Elithe Brush “Lee” Jannicelli.

Born in Scranton, PA on March 28, 1939, Joe was the son of the late Joseph and Loretta (Cianci) Jannicelli. He is predeceased by his three sisters, Lucy, Betty, and Angie, as well as his brother, Louie.

Joe proudly served several years at Fort Eustice in the United States Army Reserves achieving the rank of Sergeant. He apprenticed as a lithographer and worked in the printing industry until retirement.

Joe married Elithe Jean Brush in 1965 and proudly raised his family in Oradell, New Jersey. He participated in town by becoming an active member of the Oradell Swim Club as a Trustee and Swim Judge for his children who each swam competitively. He enjoyed coaching his sons in Little League as well.

Once he had raised his children, his passion for nature created an interest in hiking. He became a member of the Appalachian Mountain Club where he set out to hike as many peaks as he could, traveling to many locations on the Appalachian Trail. Of all of his hiking trips, his favorite hikes were in Sedona, Arizona.

Joe was a practicing Catholic and member of St. Joseph’s Church in Oradell, New Jersey, and more recently, St. Joseph R.C. Church in Middletown, Delaware. He was also a Legacy Community member where he began to spend more time golfing.

In addition to his parents and siblings, Joe was preceded in death by his son, Joseph Jannicelli, Jr. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Elithe B. “Lee” Jannicelli, his son, Robert “Rob” Jannicelli, and his wife, Kerry along with their children Maggie and Leanne, his daughter Dena Jannicelli Sullivan and husband, Stephen “Steve” and their children Emma, Matthew, and Jack and his daughter in law Valerie Jannicelli and her daughter Jessica.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 4 pm until 6 pm on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 275 East Main Street, Middletown, DE. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 am on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at St. Joseph R.C. Church, 371 East Main Street, Middletown, DE. Interment will be held privately.