Joseph Dominic DeLise, Sr., 85, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2017 after a brief illness. He will finally be reunited with his wife, Joy who passed away in 2010.
Joseph was born in 1932 in Sharon, PA to parents Dominic & Dora DeLise. He was raised in the small steel town of Farrell, PA where he was a standout athlete in basketball & football. From high school, Joseph went on to be an All American Basketball player at Indiana State Teachers College. DeLise still holds many records there. His career & season point total held for more than 40 years. He once scored 52 points in a game. Joe was 17th in the Nation in scoring and led his team to the semi finals at the National Championship in Kansas City. Joseph's career was interrupted by the Korean War where he was a Sergeant in the US Marine Corp. responsible for POW exchanges. After the war, DeLise resumed his athletic career as Basketball Coach in Elwood City for four years. From there, he moved his family back to Farrell, PA where he became the Head Basketball Coach at West Middlesex High school, PA. There he led the Big Reds to 5 county championships and 103-4 Section record. In 1983, he was inducted into the Pennsylvania County Hall of Fame as a player and coach. In 1995 he was inducted into the IUP Hall of Fame. After a 30 year career in the Pennsylvania Education system, he and his wife moved to Boca Raton, FL. DeLise served as an Assistant Principal at Loggers' Run Middle School and retired after 12 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Joy that he loved so much. He leaves behind a daughter, Renee and a son, Joe Jr. both of Florida.

Joseph Dominic DeLise, Sr., 85, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2017 after a brief illness.  He will finally be reunited with his wife, Joy who passed away in 2010.

Joseph was born in 1932 in Sharon, PA to parents Dominic & Dora DeLise.  He was raised in the small steel town of Farrell, PA where he was a standout athlete in basketball & football.  From high school, Joseph went on to be an All American Basketball player at Indiana State Teachers College.  DeLise still holds many records there.  His career & season point total held for more than 40 years.  He once scored 52 points in a game.  Joe was 17 ^th in the Nation in scoring and led his team to the semi finals at the National Championship in Kansas City.  Joseph's career was interrupted by the Korean War where he was a Sergeant in the US Marine Corp. responsible for POW exchanges.  After the war, DeLise resumed his athletic career as Basketball Coach in Elwood City for four years.  From there, he moved his family back to Farrell, PA where he became the Head Basketball Coach at West Middlesex High school, PA.  There he led the Big Reds to 5 county championships and 103-4 Section record.  In 1983, he was inducted into the Pennsylvania County Hall of Fame as a player and coach.  In 1995 he was inducted into the IUP Hall of Fame.  After a 30 year career in the Pennsylvania Education system, he and his wife moved to Boca Raton, FL.  DeLise served as an Assistant Principal at Loggers' Run Middle School and retired after 12 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Joy that he loved so much.  He leaves behind a daughter, Renee and a son, Joe Jr. both of Florida.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, August 19 ^th at 11:00AM at Emmanuel Catholic Church, 15700 South Military Trail, Delray Beach, FL 33484, the family will be receiving friends at the church from 10:30AM – 11:00AM.
Burial with Military Honors will be held at South Florida National Cemetery at Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at 2:45PM in Lane 3.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Trustbridge Hospice.