Joseph Shahan, 78, of Hartly, Del., passed away on September 3, 2020, in the Seasons Hospice Unit at Christiana Hospital.

Shahan was born on January 6, 1942, in Hartly to the late Paul Shahan Sr. and Goldie (Armstrong) Shahan.

He had a wide ranging career beginning by driving a potato truck for Alfred Bilgrow, then driving a taxi cab for the City of Dover, and concluding in the construction business, first as a heavy equipment operator for Teal Construction for 27 years, then for R.E. Pierson as a fine grader, where he worked on the Route 1 Bypass before retiring.

Horse racing with his family was the love of his life. He enjoyed harness racing and was a member of the DRC, MRC, and USTA. In his free time, he liked gardening, watching westerns, and going to the casino.

He is survived by his children, Joseph Jr. (Bonnie), Robert (Terry), Gary (Sharon), Mark (Macy), Cathy Jo (Jeff) Moore, Robin Lee (Tom) Hyde and Amy (Kenny) DeVincentis; 21 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren, and his horses, Little Bit and Janey. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Jane; sisters, Jeanette, Virginia, and Naomi; and brothers, Norris, Crawford, Paul, Levi, Gamaliel, and Danny.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 10) in Pippin Funeral Home, Inc., 119 West Camden-Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, Del., where family and friends may view one hour before, adhering to the current COVID-19 restrictions of 50 people. Burial will take place privately.

Memorial contributions may be made to Horse Lovers United, P.O. Box 2744, Salisbury, MD 21802.

Condolences may be sent via www.pippinfuneralhome.com.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Joseph Shahan.

(USTA)