Joseph Demaria

Joseph DeMaria, a decorated war veteran, passed away suddenly on Saturday, February 7, 2009, surrounded by his loving family at his home in King of Prussia, PA. He was 87. Mr. DeMaria worked as a machinist for Automatic Timing & Control in King of Prussia, PA for 45 years. He was a member of Mother of Divine Providence Church in King of Prussia, PA, where he was a former usher. Joseph loved gardening and constructing things and working with his hands. He was an ex-golden gloves boxer and played sandlot football when younger.Joseph was a US Army veteran of WW II. He was a Combat Engineer for Company I, 36th Engineer Combat Battalion who served in Sicily, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. He received the Good Conduct Medal, a Purple Heart with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Silver Service Star, 2 Bronze Stars and 1 Bronze Arrowhead. Born in Germantown, PA on April 29, 1921, he was a son of the late Carmine and Rosina (Lalli) DeMaria. Surviving are his loving family including his wife of 62 years, Mary A. (Giorno) DeMaria; two sons, Joseph C. DeMaria, Esq. and Carmine L. DeMaria and a daughter, Claire Rose DeMaria, all of King of Prussia, PA; a sister, Carmela M. DeMaria of Warminster, PA; and many loving nephews and nieces.He was preceded in death by four brothers, Nicholas, Gesuele "Jesse", Sebastian "Sammy" and Michael; and a sister, Madeline "Maggie" Cramasta.Relatives & friends are invited to his Funeral Mass at Mother of Divine Providence Church, 333 Allendale Rd., King of Prussia, PA on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 10:00am. His viewing is Wednesday morning from 9 to 9:50am, at the church. Interment in Valley Forge Memorial Gardens, King of Prussia, PA.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joseph's memory to the Missionary Sisters of Charity, 630 DeKalb St., Norristown, PA 19401 and/or the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 49, Annandale, VA 22003.Arrangements are by The Bacchi-Courtney Funeral Home & Crematory, Ltd., Bridgeport, PA. www.bacchicourtney.com