Joseph Gerald Teresa, age 75, died suddenly at home on November 22.

He leaves his wife of 36 years, Anne (Hancock) Teresa, their son Benjamin Teresa, daughter- in- law Erica Sims, and granddaughter Eleanor of Richmond, Virginia; a nephew Carl Williamson of Frederick, Maryland; and his mother -in- law, Eugenia Hancock of the home.

Born and raised in Monrovia, California, Joe was the son of Carl and Frances (Bonfiglio)Teresa.

From his early years on he loved and excelled at mathematics. He obtained a B.S in Biology and a M.S. in Mathematics, and received a National Science Foundation Fellowship to the University of Michigan, where he obtained a Ph.D. in Education.

He taught at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor for several years, co-authoring a number of studies and books published by the Rackham School of Graduate Studies. In 1976 he joined the U.S. Department of Education as a senior statistician. He spent 24 years at the Department designing, conducting and contributing to large-scale national education studies, including the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). He held teaching positions at the University of Arkansas at Monticello; Bluefield College in Bluefield, VA; The University of Maryland; and George Mason University. Joe was passionate about teaching and loved working with students of all ages.

In 1980 he married the former Anne Hancock of Bluefield, West Virginia. They moved to Vienna, Virginia in 1988 where they raised their son, Benjamin, born in 1982. Joe was a true family man, reflecting his Italian heritage, and spent many years as a Boy Scout leader with Troop 152 in Vienna.

In 2011 Joe and Anne moved to Shepherdstown where he made many close friends and truly enjoyed the beauty of the area. He volunteered with the Good Shepherd Caregivers and was a member of Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church. He was a friend to all animals, loved to travel, and never met a cookie he did not like.

A celebration of life will be held at the Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church in Shepherdstown, WV on December 17 at 2:00PM.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church; the Good Shepherd Caregivers of Shepherdstown, WV; or the Sons of Italy Foundation.

Arrangements are by Brown Funeral Home