Joseph N. Bartlett Jr. of King of Prussia

Joseph N. Bartlett Jr. passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, surrounded by his loving family in King of Prussia, PA. He was 83. Joseph was born on June 10, 1934 in Darby, PA and grew up in Narberth, PA. He was a son of the late Joseph N. Bartlett, PhD and Marguerite (Callahan) Bartlett. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Sheila Ann (Matthews) Bartlett. Surviving is his loving family including two sons, Joseph M. Bartlett and Michael (Kelly) Bartlett; four daughters: Patricia (Rob) Erickson, Linda (Steve) Ryan, Sheila (Jeff) Burns and Kathleen (Jay) Deckman; six grandchildren: Patricia, Lexi, Sarah, Eric, Kat and Matt; a brother, Robert (Anne) Bartlett; two sisters, Mary (Ed-dec.) Teff and Barbara (Harry) Neff; and many other loving family members.

Mr. Bartlett attended St. Margaret’s elementary school in Narberth and St. Joseph’s Prep School in Philadelphia. He graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry from St. Joseph’s University and earned an M.S. from the University of Pennsylvania. After five years working at Gulf Oil Corporation as a research and technical service chemist in the late 1950’s, Joe began his long and successful career as a teacher. He was an instructor of chemical and environmental technology at Bucks County Technical School for 24 years. Joe was lead instructor of environmental technology at Abraham Lincoln High School in Philadelphia for 16 years, where he was instrumental in opening up learning opportunities for hearing impaired students in the classroom. In addition, Joe worked as an environmental chemist in a field laboratory in Upper Merion Township in the late 1980 and 90’s. He also worked as an adjunct professor at St. Joseph’s University for 45 years. Joe was very involved in Upper Merion Township, serving as an active member on the Environmental Advisory Council from 1996 through 2005 and on the Board of Supervisors for six years, serving as vice-chairman from 2006 – 2009 and chairman in 2010.

Joe was an active member of Mother of Divine Providence Parish for over 50 years and at one time served on the MDP Home and School Association and with the Knight of Columbus. He was a dedicated Boy Scout and Scout Master through the 1950’s and early 1960’s. Joe was an avid fisherman and gardener. He loved visiting the Jersey shore with his family, but his favorite place to visit was the state of Vermont. He was a committed bird watcher, enjoying regular trips to Hawk Mountain to enjoy the fall migration. Joe was a passionate and influential environmentalist, including traveling internationally to share environmental teaching practices overseas.

Relatives & friends are invited to Joseph’s Funeral Mass at Mother of Divine Providence Church, 333 Allendale Rd., King of Prussia, PA on Friday, February 23, 2018 at 10:30 am. His viewings are Thursday evening from 6 to 8:00 pm, at The Bacchi Funeral Home & Crematory, Ltd., 805 DeKalb St., Bridgeport, PA, also Friday morning from 9:30 to 10:20 am, at the church.

Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Conshohocken, PA.