Joseph Edward Witoski

Joseph Edward Witoski – September 9, 1952 – May 22, 2026

Joseph Edward Witoski, known to most as Joe, passed away on May 22, 2026, at his home in Harbeson, Delaware, after a courageous battle with ALS. He was 73 years old. Born on September 9, 1952, in Wilmington, Delaware, Joe lived a life defined by quiet strength, genuine kindness, and a heart for serving others. Joe graduated from Salesianum High School in Wilmington, where he was already making his mark. During his high school years, he taught Judo at the Wilmington YMCA and was nominated to represent the USA Judo Team at the world competition in South America. He went on to further his education at Delaware Technical Community College in Georgetown and later at California College of Health Sciences in San Diego. Joe was a man of many talents, and most of them he kept humble. He was a skilled billiards player who earned two state second place awards. He enjoyed oil painting, something most people never knew about him. He was an enthusiastic cook who loved preparing meals at friends' homes and sought out cooking classes wherever he traveled, from Creole cooking in New Orleans to learning traditional Hawaiian recipes from two sisters who had served American soldiers during World War II. He loved fishing on Lake Champlain, and he enjoyed rounds of golf with his neighbor Grant, never pretending to be better than he was. Joe was a proud member of the Lewes Family Moose Lodge. He also traveled to Kentucky on a mission work trip with members of Lewes Presbyterian Church. Perhaps his proudest accomplishments were his two mission trips to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he worked alongside a university agronomist to help locate a water supply for the local community and served as a church friend visiting people in need of care. He loved the people he met there, and the experience changed his life. Joe took disappointments in stride. He believed the best way to move forward was through kindness and prayer, though he never made a show of it. Even in his final weeks, he welcomed every visitor with gratitude and insisted on being informed about his own health, believing a patient always deserved to be part of those conversations. He was simply, genuinely himself. Joe's faith carried him through every season of life. He is survived by his beloved wife, Irene Witoski; his stepdaughter, Judy Coatesand her husband Troy; his stepson, Thomas Minghini; his sister, Kathryn DeSilva; and stepson Robert Minghini, Jr and his wife Tiffany, who held a special place in his life. A memorial service will be held on July 30 at Lewes Presbyterian Church ,133 Kings Highway in Lewes, Delaware, beginning at 1:00 PM in the sanctuary. Life doesn't end when you pass away. Death is only the beginning of our eternal life with our heavenly Father.