Joseph R. Slights Jr.

1935 - 2021

Joseph R. Slights, Jr., 86
Joseph R. Slights, Jr. died on July 4, 2021 in South Florida. Joe was born on January 3, 1935, in Ithaca, New York to Elizabeth and Joseph R. Slights, Sr. He grew up in Connecticut and moved to Delaware in the mid-1950s to attend Wesley College, where he earned an Associate Degree in 1957. He went on to earn his Master's in Education degree from the University of Delaware. Joe's time at Wesley College began a lifelong relationship with the college; he would serve as Wesley's Dean of Admissions and then Dean of Students over the course of nearly forty years until his retirement in 1999. In 1996, he was inducted into the Wesley College Alumni Hall of Fame, a recognition that filled him with great pride. Joe was active in his community, serving in Delaware's National Guard until 1967, as a Commissioner with Delaware's Department of Elections for nearly twenty years, and as an active member of the People's Church of Dover. He was also a Life Member of the Rehoboth Bay Sailing Association, where he crewed on the Lightning class sailboat, Mal De Mer, skippered by his brother-in-law Blades Derrickson and co-crewed by his beloved wife, Joann. He had fond memories of racing Lightnings on Sundays in the Rehoboth Bay with friends Turner Hastings, Nancy Hastings, Jake Zimmerman, Dave Racine, Lloyd Alexander, Fred Mertes and many others. In retirement, "Big Joe," as he was affectionately known to his family and close friends, spent winters in the Florida Keys and summers at the Delaware beaches with his wife and family. He loved surf and deep-sea fishing. And he loved cruising on his Grady White, the Slight Edge. He was an avid Miami Dolphins fan and credits himself with almost coaxing Dan Marino out of retirement while attending Dan's Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio, along with Joe's son and two grandsons, John and Michael. He once described the "perfect day" as body surfing waves all day in Dewey Beach, and then sipping a "Dewey Devil" on the deck of the Waterfront Restaurant and Bar while watching the sun set.
Joe was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Joann Slights, in 2010. Survivors include his children, Jean E. Slights-Bleiler (Richard) of Marydel, Delaware and Joseph R. Slights III (Ellen) of Wilmington, Delaware; brother, William Slights of Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada; his long-time partner and love, Susan Ashmore, of Key Largo, Florida; grandchildren, Shanlynn Vaught and Robert Bleiler of Marydel, Delaware and John and Michael Slights of Wilmington, Delaware; nieces, Jessica Slights (Stephen) of Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Nancy Derrickson, Patricia Derrickson (John), Elizabeth Burkett Cherico (Blair) and Patricia Burkett Wilson (Jason) of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware; and countless friends and relatives.
A graveside service will take place at Lakeside Cemetery in Dover, Delaware on September 18, 2021, at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Joe's name to the Coral Isles Church, 90001 Overseas Highway, Tavernier, Florida 33070.
Letters of condolence may be sent, and guestbook signed at http://www.torbertfuneral.com