Joseph Theodore "Joe" Teets

Teets, Joseph "Joe" Theodore
81, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of October 26th, 2012. His quiet strength will be greatly missed, but comfort is found in knowing that he has begun a new life with the Lord. Born in Terra Alta, West Virginia on December 6th, 1930 to Theodore and Margaret Teets, Joe grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with his three younger sisters: Ruth, Rose Ann "Cookie", and Margaret "Peggy Lou". After graduating from Wilkinsburg High School, he joined the United States Navy in 1952, and would often think fondly of his days working on the USS Yosemite during the Korean War before discharging from the Navy in 1955. Joe married Claire Johnson in Rhode Island in 1953, with whom he had eight children: Marilyn, Deborah, Joseph, Diane, Paul, Sarah, Thomas, and Brian. After the Navy, Joe began his life-long career in the newspaper business as a stereotyper by working for the Providence Journal for many years. He then moved to Jacksonville, FL in 1972 and began working for the Florida Times-Union newspaper. While living in Jacksonville, Joe met and married Judith "Judy" Busey in 1976. The early years of their marriage brought many adventures, with moves throughout the Midwest as the rapidly changing newspaper industry sent Joe and Judy from Florida, Texas, and Nebraska to Michigan and Illinois. Soon after moving to Chicago, Joe and Judy welcomed their only child into the world when Sarah Belle was born in 1980. In 1983 they moved to Phoenix, Arizona where Joe worked for the Arizona Republic until he retired in 1997. The last few years of Joe's life were full of relaxation and contentment, as he enjoyed attending Catholic Mass regularly, visiting with his buddies at the American Legion, going to the gym, and working in his beloved backyard garden. Joe was often admired for his lovely garden of grapefruit trees, beautiful rose bushes, holly hocks, delicious vegetables, sunflowers, and the best homegrown tomatoes in the Sonoran desert. The patient love and joy he expressed through his work in the garden will live on in our hearts forever. Joe is preceded in death by his father Theodore, his mother Margaret, and his daughter Deborah. He is survived by his wife Judy, his eight children, 16 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, his 3 sisters, his Aunt Louise, and Uncle Paul. A memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, November 3rd, 2012 at 1:00 pm at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 7655 East Main Street, Scottsdale, Arizona, 85251. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Joe's honor to Good Samaritan Society's Mesa Good Shepherd, 5848 East University Drive Mesa, AZ 85205. Arrangements entrusted to Messinger Indian School Mortuary.