Doesn't seem like a year has passed Joe. Here we are coming up on another Gum Dipper reunion in Octbober without you here to do our invocation. I continue to miss all of our emails and quips that kept me entertained. RIP Joe.

I am missing you more than ever today, Dad. Although I cannot believe that you are gone, the impact of your absence is incredibly significant. Life will never be the same without you and mom.
So I choose to hold on to a lifetime of amazing memories and I pray that you are reunited with mom in Heaven, enjoying life eternal. I love you.

JA,
 My friend and mentor, i miss the daily call's to you.....
                                         GODSPEED

Dear DePaolis family, I miss your parents every day. We were so fortunate to having known them. We made wonderful memories and had so many laughs. We always thought of you all as part of our family. I’m sure they are in heaven and celebrating! Love to you all, Terry Fico

Joe, I continue to miss you and Shirley. You were always a bright light in my world. I can't watch a Penn State game without thinking and reminiscing about the football weekends with you and Shirley in Happy Valley. Happy Heavenly Birthday. Terry and I will join you and Shirley someday in paradise. Love you with all my heart.

Happy Birthday in Heaven Joe and say hello Shirley.

Happy Birthday Dad. It seems unbelievable that only one short year ago, the family was celebrating your 90th birthday at a restaurant with you in your favorite suit from mom, enjoying a wonderful Italian meal and us cutting into that very special designed cake.
I miss you and mom every day pray that you two are together enjoying life eternal.
Thank you for helping me stumble upon one of the Christmas Envelopes you gave me with your signature on it. I find comfort in believing that you and mom stop in occasionally to say hello and that you love me.

Joe was a dear friend for over 40 years. We would have lunch together at least once a month over that time period and "solve all the world`s problems". Joe was one of the most energetic and involved personalities I have ever known. He exhibited business acumen, involvement in health care, leadership in Church activities, and devotion to family .An avid Penn State alum and fan. You couldn`t ask for a better friend.
Rest in peace Joe, you fought the good fight.

I have known Joe for over 40 years working with him on the many Holy Spirit festivals, weekend masses, a greeter and usher @HS. Even though I am Polish, we knew each other as Italian buddies. He was always the best dressed guy in the group. When I spoke with Mrs.D, she was always the "boss" and Joe.... her assistant. When Joe and I were together, she was always the "assistant". Miss his smile and greeting. I always told him he had "more points" upstairs then me.  JOE....SAVE SOME FOR ME!!  GOD BLESS.       Tony Gramza.

I had the pleasure of having Joe DePaolis as my boss, but More importantly as my friend. He really cared about all his employees. He knew my family as well and we all loved him. The last time I talked to him he was waiting to get out so we could go to Rocky's to have some tripe. We did this many times. I know he loved his family and thought the world of his wife Shirley. When I saw him at her Funeral I knew he lost the love of his life. He told me he was amazed that his kids got all of his furniture into his new place. I will miss you my frien
d but be happy now with your love in heaven. You will truly be miss by all. God Bless you and I will miss you but I hope to see you again. As you called me Brother Rozzi

So sorry to learn of Joe’s passing. My father, Ward Waid, worked with Joe for many years at Antonelli’s. The last time I saw Joe was at the memorial service for my dad in June 2021. He was a wonderful person—kind and caring. My dad and our whole family had great respect and fondness for Joe. May he rest in peace with his beloved wife, Shirley. God bless all of your family and grant you comfort and peace.

I met Shirley & Joe in the 60"s when Joe worked in the tire business in Morgantown. I Went to help move them in as they had 2 children & expecting the 3rd. We have remained friends all these years. They even visited us & I toured them to Flight 93 which I live very close to. Those two have been true friends through all these years. Rest in Peace my Friend- loved all our chats & Friendship. A Forever Friend.

Joe DePaolis, a dear friend dating back to 1964 and FIrestone buddy, was a stallworth in the FIrestone/Bridgstone Gum Dipper Organization, membership Chairman and Orator. Here is one of his Invocations which shows his humility and love for God, that I thought I would share, from our 2014 reunion, as he made many:

WE HAVE MUCH TO GIVE THANKS FOR, NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH IS TO HONOR OUR CREATOR.LET US PAUSE TO REMEMBER OUR GUM DIPPER BRETHERN WHO HAVE PASSED ON THIS PAST YEAR AND TO AGAIN REMEMBER THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED ON IN THE PREVIOUS YEARS.
LET US PRAY, EACH IN YOUR OWN WAY; WE THANK GOD FOR THIS GATHERING, YES, EVEN AS TIME MOVES ON GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAY TOGETHER AS A FAMILY. HELP US TO CONTINUE TO USE YOU AS OUR SOURCE OF LIGHT, EVEN IN TIMES OF DARKNESS.
WE THANK YOU FOR THIS GREAT COUNTRY, UNDER SEIGE FROM BOTH WITHIN AND WITHOUT, YET THE USA IS STILL THE BEACON OF LIGHT FOR THE WORLD.
WE THANK YOU FOR THE CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THIS WORLD CLASS ORGANIZATION, BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE ,EVEN THOUGH NOW GLOBAL, IS WHERE WE HAVE DEVOTED OUR LIFE, ENERGIES AND TALENTS OVER THOSE MANY YEARS.
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND, OUR SERVICE PEOPLE WHO ARE ALWAYS IN HARMS WAY, OUR FAMILIES, BOTH DECEASED AND LIVING, WHO HAVE MADE US WHAT WE ARE, THAT WE HOLD DEAR TO US.
WE THANK YOU FOR OUR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES WHOM WE HAVE MET, SHARED JOB FULLFILLMENT WITH ONE ANOTHER, REUNITING HERE THIS WEEK AND EVER MINDFUL OF THOSE WHO CAN NOT BE HERE.
ALMIGHTY FATHER, CONTINUE TO LOOK AFTER US IN THESE RAPIDLY DEPLETING YEARS, AS THE PACE SLOWS, THE MEDICATIONS INCREASE AND BOTH OUR EYES AND EARS GROW DIMMER, WE TRULY DO NEED YOUR BLESSING NOW.
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR BLESSING, THIS FOOD OF WHICH WE ARE ABOUT TO PARTAKE, THOSE WHO GROW IT, THOSE WHO PREPARE IT AND THOSE WHO SERVE IT, WE ASK THIS IN THE NAME OF OUR DIVINE CREATOR…AMEN

I was blessed to know Joe through my good friends Jeff and Patti. Patti shared many wonderful stories about Joe and I felt like I knew him. Heaven has another star. God bless.

Dear Tina and Noah,
We were saddened to learn of your Dad and Grandpa's passing. We send our dearest love, and we hold you tenderly in our hearts, as always,
Uncle Mike and Aunt Mary

I was blessed to work with and for Joe for years, first as a Board member of Preferred Care and subsequently as a friend, coach, advisor and motivator. His positive attitude was truly infectious as was his compassion for those he came into contact with. It mattered not to him if you were a waitress, a gas station attendant or President of a Fortune 500 company. He treated all with respect. His energy will be missed. His enduring positivity will be missed. Joe, I miss you.

Dr. Mike and family,
Janet and I had the good fortune to meet your Dad when we were members of Midvale Country Club. I enjoyed playing golf with Joe and especially our friendly lunches after golf. Joe was a wonderful friend and we know how much he will be missed. We send our deepest condolences to all of you during this time of your loss. Sincerely, Fran and Janet Provino

I had the extremely good fortune to know Joe as a friend and colleague for several decades.  He was an intelligent, caring, positive gentleman who leaves the world a better place than he found it.  I will miss my friend.

I offer my and my wife Diane's heartfelt condolences to the Depaolis family whom Joe loved much and was very proud of.

My most sincere condolences to the entire DePaolis family.

Mr. DePaolis was an influential force and role model for a lot of us kids growing up in the 70’s. Whether the Holy Spirit church festival or Webster Schroeder sporting events, you always heard and recognized his booming voice. He was always someone I paid extra attention to when he spoke.

Great man, he will be missed.