HARBESON - Joseph W. DiBattista, Jr., formerly of Norristown, Pa., beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2014 after fighting a long battle with liver disease at Beebe Hospital. He was surrounded by his loved ones, his wife and loving sons did not leave his side. Joe was an avid fisherman; he spent the majority of his time here in the community making it better for the fishing community. Joe was a past President of the Delaware Mobile Surf-Fishermen Club, director and member of the Friends of the Park, served as the President of the Delaware Preservation Society and the Park Watch associated with the Cape Henlopen State Park. If you got to see him there, he was directing traffic, teaching driving on the beach classes, organizing fishing tournaments for adults and kids alike and anything else that was needed to make the park a place for everyone. It was his home away from home. He was born on Aug. 19, 1943 in Norristown, Pa. in the Black Horse area of town, son of the late Joseph W. and Emma DiBattista. He loved Buddies Water Ice, Penny's Pizza, Eve's Zeps and Tony Luke's pork sandwiches. Joe enjoyed motorcycles, fast cars and good times. Joe was a loving brother to his family and was preceded in death by his father Joseph W. DiBattista, Sr.; his mother Emma DiBattista; a brother, Anthony DiBattista, who passed before Joe got to meet him and a loving nephew, John DiBattista. Joe is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Marla L. (Myers) DiBattista. Marla wrote, "Thank you Joe, for helping me to become the person I am. I loved you with all of my heart and helping me raise our sons to be the men they have become." Joe was a friend, lover, husband, father and overall loving man of great character. He always believed in fair play and always let you know if you were right or wrong. He always believed things could always get better and he never gave up. Joe was a loving father to his sons, Joseph DiBattista of King of Prussia, Pa. and his wife, Kim and their children, Joey and Mia; a son, Vincent DiBattista and his wife, Amy of Harbeson, and his beloved grandson, Gino and a son, Jason DiBattista and his daughter, Bella who resides at home. When his boys were growing up it was part of life, "what's tonight?" He was either being a scout leader, a baseball coach, teaching Vinnie golf, pee wee football games, high school ball or driving 300 miles at least two times a week to see college football games his son played in. These individuals were the light of his life. His remaining days he lived his dreams, living near the beach, fishing, having a family he was so proud of and wasting away days with Gino, playing and teaching him all of his secrets in life. His last worries were to make sure his boys were going to be okay, that Gino would not forget him, and that they all would know how much he loved them. Joe is also survived by his sister, Grace DiBattista of Norristown, Pa.; a brother, Salvatore DiBattista and his wife, Joanne of Trappe, Pa.; a nephew, Anthony DiBattista and his daughters, Chelsea and Erin who reside in Elverson, Pa. and the late John DiBattista's wife, Kelly DiBattista of Pottstown, Pa. and her children, Ryan and Emma. The DiBattista family would like to thank all of his friends for the special emails, time you spent to take him fishing and helping him live his life to the fullest, we called it "the old farts club." He really enjoyed all of your company, fish talks and general BS stuff you all talked about, helped him when he had bad days. Thank you. A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 28, 2014 at the Biden Center at the Cape Henlopen State Park, 15099 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes, DE 19958. Interment will be private. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com