Joseph F. Leitner, Sr.

Joseph was born in a small Czechoslovakian village to Hungarian parents. They later resided in Győr,  Hungary.  Soccer was his first love whether in Hungary or in the United States. Anyone who met him knew this after a few seconds of meeting him. He passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by loved ones after having suffered from Alzheimer's over the past several years.
Joseph left Hungary shortly after the Hungarian Revolution in 1956. He met his wife Maria Jóna in a refugee camp in Austria shortly thereafter. Eventually they ended up in "The Land of Freedom and Opportunity" - U.S.A. For opportunities they could never have hoped to obtain in their own homeland. 

He retired as a Quality Control Specialist from Pepperidge Farm. He was best known in the Chester County and the greater Philadelphia area for his involvement with soccer. He coached soccer at Lincoln University and at Swarthmore College. He leaves behind a legacy of positive influence on many soccer players and area soccer organizations.

Joe, loving husband, father, grandfather and great- grandfather is survived by his exceptionally patient and loving wife of 60 years Maria (nee Jóna), his four children - Marika Irene Wilson (Charles), Joseph Frank Leitner, Jr. (Roberta), George Karl Leitner (Paula), and Erika Helen DeBiasse (Bobby). Ten grandchildren: Amber (Rico), CJ (Abby), Elizabeth, Joey, Erik (Shannon), Karl (Kiersten), Billy, Krista, Natalie, and Jessica. Four great-grandchildren (soon to be five): Truleigh, Ashleah, Leyana, and Bree

Funeral Mass: SS. Phillips & James Church, 107 N. Ship Rd. (corner of Rt. # 30), Exton, PA  19341 on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at 10:30 AM. 

Visitation: From 9:30 to 10:15 AM Tuesday at the church prior to Mass. 

Interment: St. Agnes Cemetery, West Chester, PA.

In lieu of flowers family prefers contributions be made to any of the following:  Alzheimer's  https://www.alz.org/; West Chester United Soccer Club, 901 S. Bolmar St., Suite P
West Chester, PA 19382; or 
The American Diabetes Association: 2451 Crystal Drive, Suite 900 1-800-DIABETES(800-342-2383)
Web: https://donations.diabetes.org/site/Donation2?df_id=19105&19105.donation=form1&mfc_pref=T&s_src=ppc&