Joseph B. Sturgis, Sr., Esq. Loving husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather, age 78, formerly of Paoli, PA passed away peacefully on Tuesday August 13, 2013 at his home in West Chester, PA.

The son of the late John Aloysius Sturgis and Regina Burke, brother of the late John Sturgis, Joe was born in Philadelphia on September 23, 1934. Growing up on Baltimore Avenue he and his brother took weekly trips to the library to take out the 6 book per week limit. They also filled their time playing basketball in the backyard with a peach basket made into a rim. Books, his brother and basketball all had a significant influence on the rest of his life. He graduated from West Catholic High School in 1952 and was later inducted into their Basketball Hall of Fame in 1994. Joe went on to attend the University of Pennsylvania, where during his senior year he Co-Captained the Quakers 1955-56 basketball team, was named First Team All-Ivy, First Team All-Big 5 and was the recipient of the Food Fair Award which was an award given to one Big 5 Athlete per year based on athletics and leadership. He would later be inducted into the Big 5 Hall of Fame and University of Pennsylvania's Athletic Hall of Fame. After graduating, he continued on to University of Pennsylvania's School of Law. He then went on to practice law in Philadelphia for 35 years earning his way to the position of Managing Partner for one of the most prominent law firms in the city. Joe was one of the most humble, selfless and patient people to walk this earth. In his early adult years, Joe enjoyed playing tennis with friends, playing pick-up basketball games in the back yard with his children and through all his adult life he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends which included 12 loving grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Harriet (nee Houlihan), his children, Joe, Jr. (Tracy), Doug (Deb), Pat (Peggy) and Courtland Schumacher (Michael), grandchildren Shane, Brenden, Hailey, Alexandra, Hannah, Brooke, PJ, Meghan, Michael, Courtland, Cate and Matthew. He is also survived by sister-in- law Patricia Sturgis (the late John) and brother-in-law Tim Higgins (Betty) and many loving nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather to his Viewing Saturday August 17 from 10 to 11 AM at St. Anastasia Church, 3301 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 19073. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11 AM. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon, PA. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Johns Hopkins University with BHDC-Joe Sturgis on memo line and mailed to: Jessica Lunken, 550 N. Broadway Suite 914, Baltimore, MD 21205.