Joseph Anthony DiNorscia, Jr.

Age 90

Joseph Anthony DiNorscia Jr. Joe, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2020 at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa. He was 90 years old.

Born in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania in 1929, Joe was the son of Joseph Anthony Sr. and Mary Gale DiNorscia. Joe is predeceased by his sister, Anna DiFilippo, brothers Guy and Anthony and is survived by his brother, Alfred DiNorscia.

Shortly after graduating from Kennett High School in 1947, Joe began his career in the transportation business. In the early years of his career, he worked at Mushroom Transportation in Kennett Square and then later moved to its Philadelphia location where he was elevated to Vice President. In 1964 he graduated from LaSalle College Magnum Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and was awarded the William T. Connor Award for the best scholastic record in business administration.

Moving to Vineland, New Jersey in 1968, Joe held executive positions with various transportation companies there, including National Freight, Inc. In 1973 Joe moved back to Kennett Square where he became a partner and eventual President of Nick Basilio and Sons, an already successful construction and mushroom growing company. Joe played a significant role in the formation of Laurel Valley Farms and Rex Mushrooms. Today, Laurel Valley Farms is recognized as North Americas largest single site mushroom composter. Rex Mushrooms, a marketing and wholesaler business, later merged with Wilson Mushroom Company and became Country Fresh Mushrooms. Joe retired as President and CEO of Country Fresh in 2003-2004. Throughout his career, Joe was recognized as a business leader within the mushroom industry and the Kennett Square community.

Joe is survived by his loving partner of 20 years, Lois Potter. He is also survived by four children with his first wife, Jeanette (nee Falcone) DiNorscia (deceased): Joanne Warren, Geri (John)Talley, Joe (Shirley) DiNorscia, III and Annette (Eric) Garofalo; three children with his second wife, Patricia (nee Wehrli) DiNorscia: Lisa DiNorscia, Michele (Karl) Zimmerman, Michael (Danielle) DiNorscia. While with Lois, Joe played an important role with his extended family and was like a father to Loiss children: Andrea (Mark) Seltzer, Michael Potter, Todd (Robyn) Potter and Cory (Stacy) Potter.

More than anything, Joe adored and was proud of the accomplishments of his paternal grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his grandchildren from his extended family. With the birth of his great-grandson, Joseph Anthony the 5th, they number 51.

Joe loved the water and was an avid fisherman, fishing well into his 80s with his buddies, Nick Basilio and Bobby Primus.

He loved the outdoors, planting flowers, and gardening. He passed on his love of growing things to his children who could, of course, never measure up to his tomato crop.

During his life-time Joe lived life to its fullest and did it, his way.

A visitation for Joe will be held at Kuzo Funeral Home, 250 W. State Street, Kennett Square, Pa on Friday, January 17th from 5:00-8:00 pm. On Saturday, January 18th, there will be a Funeral Mass at 10:00 at St. Patricks Catholic Church, 212 Meredith Street, Kennett Square, Pa. Interment will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery, 450 North Union Street, Kennett Square, Pa.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Wounded Warrior Project.

Wounded Warrior Project

Make a donation https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate

Services

Visitation
January 17, 2020 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Kuzo Funeral Home
250 W. State Street
Kennett Square, PA 19348

Funeral Mass
January 18, 2020 10:00 am
St. Patrick Church
212 Meredith Street
Kennett Square, PA 19348

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