Friends and family are mourning the death of Joseph “Joe” L. Stumpo, who lost a long battle with cancer on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at the age of 81.
Joe Stumpo was well-known to Pocopson Township residents for his presence at numerous township meetings and functions, where his sense of humor often entertained those around him. His wife of 35 years, Ricki Stumpo, serves as a township supervisor.
In addition to his wife, Joe, who grew up in the Belmont Hills section of Philadelphia, is survived by three stepchildren – David Horowitz, Lara Kelly and Jennifer Zipeto – as well as nieces, nephews and a granddaughter. He was the brother of the late Rosemarie Nagle.
Lara Kelly said she and her siblings were ages 10, 12, and 14 when Joe became a beloved member of their family. “That speaks a lot about how crazy he was,” she said. “He married someone with a teen and two preteens.”
The close bond they shared with their stepfather was slightly eclipsed when Kelly’s daughter, Harper, who is now 10, was born. “Joe was absolutely the best grandfather to her,” she said. “He was the kind of grandfather you want every kid to have.”
Kelly said the family moved from East Goshen to Pocopson Township around 1987 because Joe wanted to have land for horses. She said he would tend to the horses before driving to Havertown, where he owned a gas station and towing business, Bob and Joe’s.
Even at home, Joe enjoyed tinkering around the house and working on cars, and he often managed to find a patch of grass that needed attention. “We would joke that he would just tow and mow,” Kelly said.
When he wasn’t working, Joe, who served in the Army after the Korean War, enjoyed helping others. Kelly said she has heard from many people who crossed paths with him over the years – through his business or participation in area Italian clubs – who regarded him as a confidant or second father.
Joe also enjoyed traveling as long as his wife was able to trick him into making the trip, family members said. Because he never wanted to leave his business for more than a week at a time, Ricki Stumpo would make arrangements with her husband’s business associates for a longer stay and wouldn’t tell Joe that they would be gone for three weeks until they were on the plane.
“They traveled to six out of seven continents,” Kelly said. “He would come home so excited about their experiences.”
Even after Joe sold his business about 10 years ago, he resisted full retirement and continued working for the towing operation.
Sean Rafferty, a township resident who often sat next to Joe at township meetings, said he particularly admired Joe's boundless generosity and devotion to his children, his wife, and the township. "They were not stepchildren to him; he treated them as his own, which tells you a lot about the kind of person he was," Rafferty said. "I am really going to miss sitting next to him at meetings."
Holly Manzone, another Pocopson resident, said Joe embodied the township’s family atmosphere. “He was always there at meetings supporting his wife,” Manzone said. “That is exactly what the Pocopson that I know and love is all about.”
Kelly said Joe kept the family laughing, even during his final days. “He had to laugh to lighten the mood,” she said. “Even in a grim situation,” he let us know that it was OK, she said, adding that his wonderful sense of humor was a gift that will endure.
Services will be held Friday, Nov. 20, at Joseph Levine and Sons Memorial Chapel (West), 2811 West Chester Pike, in Broomall. Shiva will be observed at the family residence. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joe’s memory may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
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