Joseph E. Atteniese, 77, passed away on January 14, 2017 at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital surrounded by family and friends.

Joe always had a kind word and a joke for everyone. He brought joy and laughter into the many lives that he touched. A true jack of all trades, Joe was an army veteran, bus driver, volunteer at the School for the Deaf, firearms instructor, and most recently Deputy Constable in Montgomery County for 10 years. He made friends everywhere and couldn’t set foot in the grocery store or bank without running into someone who knew him and wanted to say hello.

Joe was born in Brooklyn in 1939, the youngest of five siblings. He met his future wife, Rita, on a blind date in 1971 and from then on, they never left each other’s side. They spent almost a decade in New York together before moving to Pennsylvania for a quieter life than the bustle of New York City. They eventually settled in Doylestown in 1981 to raise their daughter, Jaime. Joe’s greatest passion in life was devotion and love for his family. He was an inspirational father who adored his daughter and then granddaughters unconditionally. The consummate “silly grandpa,” he could always bring a smile to the faces of his family.

Joe put loyalty, optimism, humor, and kindness into everything he did. We are truly blessed to have had the privilege of Joe’s inspiring presence and beauty of heart in our lives.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. All are welcome to join us at a memorial service on February 5 from 10:30 to 12:30 at the Horsham Township Community Center, 1025 Horsham Road, Horsham PA 19044.