Joseph Vincent Giannattasio, Jr. (Joe Mex), 81, passed away on April 29, 2022, after a struggle with Peritoneal Mesothelioma. Born and raised in the Little Italy section of Wilmington, DE, on October 23, 1940, Joe was the son of Josephine (DiVincenzo) Giannattasio and Giuseppe Giannattasio, Sr.
Joe graduated from Wilmington High School, Class of 1958. He worked for Abex in New Castle, General Motors, and retired after 30 years service from Amtrak in 2006.
Joe enjoyed celebrating with a houseful of family and friends, especially on Halloween and Thanksgiving, and his time spent
at Delaware Park, jokingly referred to as his second job.
Besides his parents, Joe was predeceased by his parents in-law, Earl and Eleanor DiSabatino; brothers, Michael and Dominic D’Arcangelo, and Anthony Giannattasio; sister, Angeline Giannattasio brothers-in-law, Carl Roca and Joseph Gudzelak, and grandson Michael Whelihan.
Joe is survived by his high school sweetheart, Eileen DiSabatino. They were married in St. Anthony of Padua Church over 61 years ago. Joe will be greatly missed by his children: Joseph (Liz Haines), Gary ( Nicole), Gina ( Mike Althauser), Andrea Kirkham (James), Ronald (Renee), Anthony, Jeffrey; and fur baby Lil Bit; He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Evelyn Roca, Diana Oldham, Jeannie DiSabatino, Rosina Gudzelak, brother-in-law Dan Oldham, 16 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Joe’s life at Krienen-Griffith Funeral Home, 1400 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19805, on Saturday, May 14, at 1:00pm. The family will receive visitors at the funeral home from 11:00am-1:00pm. Interment will be private. The family asks that masks be worn for the entire event.
Donations may be made to Faithful Friends, 12 Germay Drive, Wilmington, DE 19804 or www.cure-meso.org in memory of Joe and all those who lost their battle with mesothelioma.