DEQUINQUE
JOSEPH MICHAEL; January 4, 2018. Age 83. Beloved husband of Laura (nee Scalpato). Devoted father of Joseph, Michael (Jennifer) and Frances (Carl) Iannucci. Brother of the late Louis (Delores) and Anthony (June) DeQuinque. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Joseph was born to his loving parents Pantaleone and Frances (nee Terragrossa) on March 19, 1934. He was a loving father, a dedicated husband, an Army Veteran, a champion fencer, an accomplished engineer and a role model to countless family members and young men and women across the region. Joseph graduated from South Philadelphia High School in 1952. His brother Louis was on the school’s fencing team at the time and taught Joseph and his twin brother Tony the sport. Joseph went on to become the city’s foil champion while representing Southern. He was later offered an athletic scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania, a distinction he turned down because his family needed him to go to work. He then joined the Army, serving mostly in Germany for two years. When Joseph returned he took evening classes at Temple University, Penn State and The University of Pennsylvania on the G.I. Bill. After several years of working during the day and going to school at night, he earned an engineering degree. He joined Control Data Corporation, which later became a division of Philips, where he worked for 24 years. One of his career goals was to make sure his three children could attend college full time and not have to work during the day and take night classes like he did. He managed to finance their education. Fencing had a continuous presence throughout Joseph’s life. He kept up his skills and he used the sport to build deep roots in the community. He taught lessons at his own fencing club in Pheonexville. He was a scout leader wit the Boy Scouts and served as a Big Brother at the Big Brothers of America, where his service was honored with a plaque. He and his brother Lou continued to attend fencing meets at the University of Pennsylvania for years. Additionally, Joe and his wife Laura were also excellent ballroom dancers. They would regularly attend dinner dances and then would stun their relatives at family events when they took the dance floor. Relatives and friends are invited to his VIEWING TUESDAY EVENING 7-9 P.M. and WEDNESDAY 8:30 A.M. until 10:30 A.M. at THE MONTI-RAGO FUNERAL HOME, INC., 2531-35 S. BROAD STREET. Funeral Mass, 11 A.M., Epiphany of Our Lord Church, 11th and Jackson Sts. Int. SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery. Contributions be made in his memory to Penn Medicine at Rittenhouse Hospice, 1800 Lombard Street, Phila., PA 19146.

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