Joseph J. Dautel, Jr.

Joseph J Dautel Jr passed away after a brief illness on Saturday January 15,2022 at the age of 72 in Abington Memorial Hospital, Abington.

Joseph was the beloved husband of Sandra Dautel (Smith) and loving father of Danielle Brett and Gabrielle Gaun and her husband David. He cherished his grandchildren Anthony, Chelsea, Jonathan, Ashley, Bethany, Brianna, David Jr, Josh and Jessica. He is also survived by his sibling Nicholas Dautel Sr, nieces, nephews, their families, his aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends. His parents Angeline Melair, Joseph J Dautel Sr and step-dad Solomon Miller predeceased him.

Joe worked for Cheltenham Township for over 30 years and retired as Property Supervisor for the Public Works Department in 2004. He could never stay in so he worked part-time at Glenside Hardware and Sears Hardware.

Joe came from a large Italian family but throughout the years many of his friends and coworkers became his extended family by choice. He loved being on the softball field with his daughters as they played for years with CAA and other travel teams. Joe's other passion and hobby was trains. He loved taking his grandkids to Strasburg,Pa to see the trains and watch their faces as the locomotives ran by. He had such an infectious laugh and smile that filled the room. Many have tried to copy his laugh, but could never do it. His greatest joys were spending time with his grandkids and hearing them laugh. Joe loved his family and will be missed by many in his family and the township community.

Joe was our rock and was there when anyone needed him. In tribute I leave you with a Freddie Mercury quote: “My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies. Fairy tales of yesterday will grow but never die. I can fly, my friends. The show must go on.”