Joseph Testa, 77, of Winthrop died at Androscoggin Hospice House in Auburn on March 12, 2019 after a long battle with cancer.

He was born in Sharon, Pennsylvania on May 3, 1941, the son of James C. and Angelina M. Testa (Mindicino).

Joe graduated from Farrell High School in Pennsylvania, and went on to college at CW Post New York and California University in Pennsylvania. In 1968 Joe moved to Maine and received his master’s at the University of Maine. He was in education for 43-plus years, teaching in Ohio before moving to Maine and teaching in the Bath School system and becoming elementary principal in Bath. Next he moved to Boothbay Harbor where he was high school principal, and later was principal at Madison Memorial High School, Shed High School in Eastport and was also the education manager for Penobscot Job Corp. Over the years he received many leadership awards in education. He always said education was the best of professions.

He was an avid Steelers fan who excelled playing football in high school. Consequently, he was awarded a scholarship to play football at CW Post and eventually played ball at California University as well. He loved working around the house and yard after retiring. He also went back to work delivering medication to the home bound.

Joe was predeceased by his parents.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 32 years, Candy; daughter, Jillian Testa; son, James Testa; stepson, David King and wife Jennifer; grandchildren, Quinn, Fiona and Zachery King; sisters, Marie Zager and husband Thomas, Christine Testa, Judith Young and husband Raymond; sister-in-law, Kelly Chapman; and several nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit Saturday, April 13 from 9:30-11 a.m. at Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop, where a memorial service will take place at 11 a.m., after which all are invited to continue in celebration of Joe’s life at a reception at the American Legion Post #40 in Winthrop.

Joe cared very deeply about hunger in children so in lieu of flowers please donate to your local food bank.

Memories, condolences and photos maybe shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at www.familyfirstfh.com