Joseph B. Churchman's Obituary
Joseph B. Churchman, Sr., of Dewey Beach passed away at home on September 24, 2022. He was 86. Joe was born on August 8, 1936, in Dover, Delaware to the late Joseph E. and Mary T. Churchman. He was a graduate of the John Bassett Moore High School in Smyrna. He received a BS in Accounting from Indiana University and completed Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.
Joe and his beloved wife Jane were native Delawareans but created lasting friendships during the time they lived in Georgia, Michigan, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. They returned to live in Delaware in the 1980's settling in Dewey Beach, steps away from the ocean and beach they so loved. Jane and Joe were world travelers and enjoyed adventures in too many countries to count, from China, to Egypt, to India. They also enjoyed the beauty of America from the rugged coast of Maine to the Great Lakes of the Midwest, to the shores of the Pacific, often with their three children in tow.
Joe was a consummate business professional and completed his career as a CEO in the Wholesale Drug Industry and later formed a Healthcare Consulting Firm. He was passionate about the business world and never hesitated to explore new areas and industries. In his spare time, nothing brought him more joy than spending it with family and friends. He manned a mean grill, was sure to know friends’ beverages of choice and he had his own special “toddy,” the ChurchManHatten.
In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Jane; his sister and brother-in-law, Marie, and John Cooper; his special grandson, Joshua Ackles. Joe is survived by daughters, Michele Churchman (Jaye Brown) of Dover and Laurie Churchman of Philadelphia; son, Bruce, and his wife Giancarla Churchman of Rehoboth Beach; and grandchildren, Joe Churchman III of Milton, Jimmy Churchman of Rehoboth Beach, Jeffrey Churchman of Hoboken, NJ and Jessica Churchman of Philadelphia and great-grandson Joseph (Zev) Churchman IV. Nieces, Barbara DeBastiani and family of Georgetown, and Denise Curtis and family of Milford.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 17, 2022, at 11:00 AM at St. Jude The Apostle Catholic Church, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes, DE, where friends may visit beginning at 10:00AM.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations in Joe’s memory to the Cornelia de Lange Foundation (CdLS), 30 Tower Lane, #400, Avon, CT 06001, or www.cdlsusa.org.
Please sign Mr. Churchman's virtual guestbook located on the tribute page.
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