Joseph “Joe” Testa, 76

“Celebrating the Life of Joseph Eugene Testa”

Joseph Eugene Testa, lovingly known as Joe, passed away on Feb. 9, 2026, in Butte, Montana, at the age of 76. He was born on June 24, 1949, in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Joe came from a proud line of firefighters and carried that legacy with honor and dedication throughout his life. During the Vietnam War, he served his country with the Delaware Air National Guard in Crash Crew Recovery unit, a role he held with deep pride. His commitment to service continued long after his military years. Joe devoted more than 40 years to the Avondale Volunteer Fire Company, Station 23 in Avondale, Pennsylvania, where he was honored as Fireman of the Year. After relocating to Montana, he continued doing what he loved, serving another 11 years with the Bad Rock Volunteer Fire Company in Columbia Falls, Montana, where he was again recognized as Fireman of the Year. Fire service was not just something Joe did - it was who he was.

Joe was employed by DuPont in Wilmington, Delaware, where he served as a supervisor in the Reprographics Department. He also worked for New Garden Township in Pennsylvania as a member of the road crew, helping keep the community safe by clearing snow- and ice-covered roads during winter storms.

After retirement from DuPont, Joe and Patti followed their daughter Kristian to Montana and lived in Columbia Falls for nearly 13 years. To stay active and meet people, Joe worked part time at Lowe’s in Kalispell, Montana, where he made numerous close friends who quickly became like family. When Joe was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, his illness played a role in his decision to step away from work, and the family made the decision to move to Butte, Montana, where they shared a home with their daughter Kristian and son-in-law James so they could care for Joe as his condition progressed.

After moving to Butte, Joe became the proud human of Penny, a 7 year-old rescue Chihuahua who loved sitting beside him and watching westerns together. He loved going to the airport and working alongside his daughter cleaning customer vehicles and aircraft as needed, always excited to see what celebrities might step off the next plane. Even as dementia began taking its toll on his body and mind, Joe loved to go “truck hunting” whenever he could with his daughter, son-in-law, and Butte native and friend Mike O’Connell.

After moving to Butte and following his dementia diagnosis, long-distance travel slowed, but Joe still enjoyed several meaningful trips. One was a road trip to Los Angeles, California, with Patti, Kristian, and James, where he was thrilled to walk in the sand and surf of the Pacific Ocean. He marveled at the lights and buildings of Las Vegas and the beauty of the red rocks around St. George. Another special trip brought him back to Tennessee, where he insisted he needed to watch James run the Nashville Marathon.

Even though it was difficult for him to reach the finish line, Joe made it there and proudly cheered James on as he crossed it. During that visit, Joe grew close to James’s mother, Rosemary Denny of Knoxville, Tennessee, and James’s sister, Missie Denny of Knoxville. Even as dementia progressed, Joe loved helping James make repairs for

Rosemary and Missie and asked about them often afterward.

Joe is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Patricia Lee Testa of Butte, Montana. Their love story began in the hallways of Kennett High School in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, and remained a constant source of strength and joy throughout their lives. He is also survived by his daughter, Kristian Michelle Denny, and son-in-law James D. Denny Jr., both of Butte, Montana; and his son, Anthony Joseph Testa of Stoughton, Massachusetts. Joe was a proud grandfather to seven grandchildren: Joseph George Chester of Washington, D.C.; Preston Anthony Testa of Fairmont, West Virginia, and Preston’s fiancee, Jarrett Shane Neville; Sierra Kaylan Testa of Bruceton Mills, West Virginia; Alexis Faith Denny Cross of Strawberry Plains, TN, Madison Grace Denny, of Knoxville, Tennessee; and Nicholas Anthony Testa of Massachusetts. He was proud to call Janie Lynn Testa of Bruceton Mills, West Virginia his bonus daughter. Joe was also blessed with a great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Marie Cross of Strawberry Plains, Tennessee. The daughter of Alexis Faith Denny Cross and Caleb Cross.

He is further survived by his sisters, Linda Louise Testa and Julie Ann Standifer, both of Landenberg, Pennsylvania; his mother-in-law, Helen L. Perigo of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania; his nephew, Dean Gregory Madonna of Colorado Springs, Colorado; his nephew, Dominic “Frankie” Perigo Ill of Miami, FL; his niece, Megan Dorosz of Cinaminnson, NJ; his niece, Kaitlin Gangi, of Kennett Square, PA; his niece, Jessica Davis, of Charlotte, NC; and his niece, Jillian Canipe, of Charlotte, NC.

Joe was preceded in death by his father, Orlando “Bus” Testa of Toughkenamon, Pennsylvania; his mother, Rita “Carouse” Testa of Toughkenamon, Pennsylvania; his nephew, Rudy Daniel Madonna of Landenberg, Pennsylvania; his father-in-law, Dominic Perigo Sr. of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania; and Paige Ann “Perigo” Reburn of Mountain City, Tennessee.

Outside of his service and career, Joe embraced life with enthusiasm and humor. He was an avid NASCAR fan who attended races with friends and family and proudly cheered for his favorite driver, Jeff Gordon - a connection made even more special through his work with DuPont. He treasured the memory of meeting Gordon in person and collected NASCAR and Jeff Gordon memorabilia, as well as The Holiday Hess trucks, for more than 30 years. Known to close family as “Bus Jr.” after his father, Joe also had a legendary reputation for being wonderfully frugal. 

He was never shy about asking for a senior discount, rebate, or deal of any kind and took pride in stretching a dollar.

Joe loved the outdoors. He enjoyed deer hunting in the Pennsylvania mountains each fall and pheasant hunting in Landenberg. He was an avid fisherman who taught himself to fly fish and found peace either on a boat or standing in a beautiful Montana stream with his fly rod in hand. He especially loved taking all of the kids fishing in the streams and creeks of eastern Pennsylvania and the glacier-fed waters of western Montana, creating memories that will last generations.

If something doesn’t seem right, seek medical guidance early. With dementia, early evaluation and treatment can make a meaningful difference in quality of life.

Joe will be remembered for his steadfast spirit, his devotion to his family, and his lifelong dedication to protecting others. His legacy lives on in the traditions he honored and the example he set. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

We got it from here Dad, we love you!

A celebration of Joe’s life for Montana family and friends will be held at noon, Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the Badrock Fire Company, 23 Columbia Pines Ct, Columbia Falls, MT 59912 (off MT Highway 206). A luncheon will follow. A celebration of life for Joe’s Pennsylvania family and friends will be held at noon, Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the Avondale Fire Company in Avondale, Pennsylvania, with a luncheon to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Joe are suggested to the Badrock Fire Company,  PO Box 1428, Columbia Falls, MT 59912, or to the Avondale Fire Company by visiting www.axelsonfuneralhome.com to offer condolences to the family or share a memory of Joe.