Joseph W. Daniels

YORK Joseph W. "Joey" Daniels, 11, of Springettsbury Town ship, entered into God's loving embrace on Monday, July 12, 2010, at 5:45 p.m. at the Johns Hopkins Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Born November 14, 1998, in York, a son of John B. and Debra K. (Townsend) Daniels, he was a 5th grade student at Saint Patrick Catholic School, where he had many loving and lasting friendships with his classmates, teachers, and the Saint Patrick's parish family. Joey was a bright student, excelling in math and religion. Joey loved music and played the trombone in the school band for one year, but later joined the choir. He was especially pleased when he was chosen this year to be part of the "Show Choir" which presented an outstanding Spring Concert in tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces. Joey was very proud when he won first place in Saint Patrick School's "Race for Education," running the most laps, an accomplishment he coveted, especially when he won the Hershey Park tickets. Joey had many good friends at Saint Patrick's. They loved his humor, funny jokes, happy and helpful personality, and the special "spirit" that surrounded Joey wherever he went. Joey loved sports, both as a player and a fan. He remained an avid Philadelphia Eagles fan and even promised his classmates a visit from Donovan McNabb, which of course was one of Joey's little jokes, humor he inherited from his Dad. Joey played United Parishes soccer for a number of years, was a promising veteran player on Saint Patrick's basketball team, and played two years of EYC football until an ankle injury sidelined him. Joey's first love in his life, however, was football - sleeping with a football as early as the age of two. He was a constant viewer of the "NFL Network" and was eager to share his cuttingedge news with anyone who would listen. Joey first experienced an NFL game at Texas Stadium, watching Mom and Dad's team, the Dallas Cowboys, lose to Denver. Thanks to his Uncle Scotty, Joey finally saw his beloved Eagles and because of his passion for "all things football", Mom and Dad took Joey to this year's "NFL Draft" at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Joey also experienced his first professional baseball game at Fenway Park watching the Boston Red Sox beat the New York Yankees. He remained a loyal Red Sox fan. Joey loved the beach, especially Rehoboth, where he, Mom, and Dad vacationed every summer. Joey was also a huge fan o f the Outer Banks in North Carolina and recently spent a week at Pine Island with his Aunt Lisa, Uncle Ed, his cousins, and Grandma Brenda. Joey loved adventure and traveling with Mom and Dad. He went on a Disney Cruise to celebrate his birthday and enjoyed numerous trips to Disney World over the years. He also traveled to places such as Hawaii, San Diego, Palm Desert, Dallas, Nashville, Tampa, Boston, Las Vegas, New York City, and Cancun, Mexico. Joey loved playing outdoors with his neighborhood friends, swimming, sledding, playing "flashlight tag," and other boyhood pursuits. Joey loved sleepovers and rare was the weekend when a cousin, classmate or friend didn't spend the night, especially over the summer. Like his mother, Joey was a "foodie," always wanting to experiment in the kitchen. His specialties were Rice Krispie Treats, scrambled eggs, and French toast sandwiches. Joey was the embodiment of the "perfect son," who lived life to the fullest. He was loving, generous, kind, and had a great sense of humor. He will be painfully missed. During his stay at Johns Hopkins, Joey received the finest medical care imaginable from a compassionate and caring PICU team. In the end, Joey was named "A Hero" by the Loving Legacy Foundation of Maryland for being an organ donor. In addition to his parents, Joey will be missed by his dog, Rocky, and his cat, Ashley. He leaves behind his beloved "Sissy," Kelly Navarro, and his nephew, Nikolas, and niece, McKennah Navarro of York. He will be missed by his grandmother, Brenda Daniels of York; and his aunts, uncles, and cousins, Lisa, Ed, Zachary, Samuel, Eddie, and Rachel Hernandez, all of York, Kerry, Aretha, Joycelyn, and Joshua Daniels of Ellicott City, Md., Ed, Jinnie, and Tyler Townsend of York, Steve and Stevie Townsend of Shelby, N.C., Scott Townsend of York, Kyle Townsend of Las Vegas, and his "Auntie Lynn" McKnight of Ashburn, Va. Joey's maternal grandparents, Wallace and Dolores Townsend, and his beloved godfather, Anthony "Mike" Magni, preceded him in death. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday at Saint Patrick's Catholic Church, 231 S. Beaver St., with The Rev. Samuel E. Houser as celebrant for the Mass. Viewing will be 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Kuhner Associates Funeral Directors, Inc., 863 S. George St., York (the former Hahn Home). Burial will be in Prospect Hill Cemetery. A "Celebration of Life" reception will follow the burial at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Saint Patrick's Catholic School, 235 S. Beaver St., York, PA 17401; or to "The Believe in Tomorrow Children's House" at Johns Hopkins, 1915 McElderry St., Baltimore, MD 21205. KuhnerAssociates.com