Joseph F. McNelis Jr., age 87, passed away peacefully August 27, 2012 at his home at Willow Street, PA. He was born in Shenandoah, PA. Joe proudly served in the U.S. Army Air Force in WW II and was honorably discharged in 1946. Joe graduated with a degree in Economics from Villanova University.

Joe was a passionate retailer, entrepreneur, and lifelong merchant. In his career that spanned over 50 years, he was a Manager for F. W. Woolworth Company and Vice President of Hoy's Five and Ten Stores in the founding years of that business. When he was 46, he founded McNelis Hallmark Shops in Wilmington, DE and grew the business to a successful chain of four stores.

Joe had a love, hate relationship with the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles. Joe enjoyed vacationing at the Jersey shore and world travel.

Joe was the son of the late Joseph F. and Estelle McNelis and was predeceased by his sisters Adrienne Smith and Patricia Puckett. He was the loving husband of Suzanne (Comly) McNelis for 61 years. Joe was the proud father of Joseph F. III and wife Rose Marie of Landenberg, PA, Suzanne, Patricia, and James all of Wilmington, DE. He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren Laura, Patrick, and Christopher and his great grandson Sean.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place 10 AM Friday, August 31, 2012, at Historic St. Mary's Catholic Church 119 S. Prince St. Lancaster PA 17603, with The Rev. Leo M. Goodman, III as Celebrant. Private Interment with Military Honors in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Please omit flowers. Memorial Contributions may be made to Homes For Our Troops, 6 Main St., Taunton, MA 02780, or by calling 866-7-TROOPS, or at www.homesforourtroops.org . To send the family online condolences, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory 717-560-5100