Joseph B. Chandler, Jr., 84, died peacefully on August 31, 2024, surrounded by his family.

Joe will join in Heaven his dearly departed parents, Joseph Sr. and Mary; the love of his life, Dolores; his son Justin Chandler; his granddaughter Maureen Duffy; and his grandson Corey Chandler. He will also join his sisters Maryann Colligan (John), Elizabeth, and Teresa Petty (David), and his brother John (Dolly).

Joe leaves behind his daughter Julianne Duffy (Joe), son Joseph Chandler III, and daughter Jennifer Chandler. Adoring grandchildren: Carolyn Fortson (Sam, and their children Georgia, Maisie and Luke), Regina Dombrowski (Ben, and their children Claire and Jack), Joseph Duffy, John Duffy, Joseph Chandler IV, Jenna Chandler, Justin Chandler, and Jared Chandler.

He also leaves behind his siblings James Chandler (Denie), Kathleen Fitzsimmons (James), and Loretta Walsh (Jack). Additionally, Joe leaves behind his Best Man and brother-in-law Joseph Thomas (Petra). Joe was also loved by many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, co-workers, parishioners, and most recently, the staff and residents at Sunrise Assisted Living in Chantilly, Virginia.

Joe was the oldest of eight children to Joseph B. Sr. and Mary Bradley. He attended St. Francis de Sales Grammar School and West Catholic High School for Boys. He lived at home until he was sixteen, when he entered St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Overbrook, Pa. He studied and discerned his vocation there for two years. They were formative years for him that had a profound effect on his spirituality for the rest of this life. His faith in God and his love for Mary the Mother of Jesus were confirmed for life.

Two years later he married Dolores (Thomas), the love of his life. They were inseparable for the next 48 years. Through the thick and thin of married life, the sudden deaths of two grandchildren (Maureen and Corey), and the demands of Joe’s responsibilities for most of his 42 years at the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News, Dolores was his faithful friend, lover, and advisor. He never hesitated to say that she was the best thing that ever happened to him.

At the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News, Joe rose from the position of file clerk for Triangle Publications, to the level of Vice President of Circulation Transportation, a position he always attributed to the hard work and commitment of his co-workers, particularly those in Transportation and Fleet Maintenance. He was especially proud of his role in helping to plan the construction of the newspaper production and distribution plant in Conshohocken, Pa.

In 1988 he began another discernment process, this time for the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Camden, New Jersey. He was accepted into the program and was ordained in 1999. He was assigned to his home parish of St. Charles Borromeo in Turnersville, where he and Dolores had moved to from Philadelphia in 1967.

In the year 2000 he retired from PNI and took the position of Account Executive for the United Way of Philadelphia. He later filled the role of Campaign Director for the United Way of Gloucester County. He loved the people and the work there but was convinced by his pastor to take the new position of parish Business Manager at St. Charles.

“You can’t beat this job with a stick,” he would say, “Great people, great place, only a mile or so from home, and we’re working for God. It can’t get any better than this.” He loved being a Deacon, ministering to parishioners, and was always humbled that many would confide in him. He was in awe of how holy people really are in their own way. His and Dolores’ favorite saying was, “God is Good, All the Time.” It was his email signature!

The most difficult and stressful time of his life came with the diagnosis of acute leukemia for Dolores and the ensuing three years of pain and suffering she went through until her death in December 2008. He was devastated, but through God’s goodness, his very special youngest daughter, Jennifer, would be with him to help bear the loss through the years. Jen was his steady date and companion. God was Good!

In 2009 he was diagnosed in the early stages of Parkinson’s Disease, which he considered a special gift from God. Saint John Paul II was his hero because they shared the same disease. A heart attack in May of 2013 stopped Joe in his tracks. Although Joe continued working until July 2014, he retired and moved to Chantilly, Virginia to live with Julianne and Joe. There he continued treatment for his Parkinson’s, his congestive heart failure, his “crooked back,” as he called it, and a few other health issues.

Although retired, he appealed to the Bishop of the Arlington Diocese for permission to assist at the parish of St. John Neumann in Reston, Virginia, where he was a parishioner. The priests (Oblates of St. Francis de Sales), parish staff and parishioners were very welcoming. Here, he was active in many ministries.

Joe continued to live his calling of doing God’s work by caring for, guiding and loving the residents and staff at Sunrise Assisted Living, where he resided for the last three years of his life. Joe will be dearly missed by everyone who knew and loved him.

“His Master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant, you have shown you are faithful in small things; I will trust you with greater; come and join in your Master’s happiness.’” -Matthew 21

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe’s memory may be made to St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church (at the address below), St. John Neumann Church (11900 Lawyers Rd., Reston, VA 20191) or to Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (200 SE First St., Miami, FL 33131).

Family and friends are welcome to attend his viewing Friday 9:00-11:00 AM at St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church, 176 Stagecoach Rd., Sicklerville, NJ 08081. Mass of Christian Burial 11:15 AM. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery, Chews Landing.

God is Good—All the Time. All the Time—God is Good.