Joseph Addison Vansant, gentle soul, fierce spirit

Joseph Addison Vansant of Rehoboth Beach passed away peacefully Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Joe was born Aug. 12, 1948, at Beebe Hospital in Lewes.

 

Joe spent most of his childhood living on Maryland Avenue in Rehoboth Beach. Joe attended Rehoboth High School, where both his grandfather, “Doc” Vansant, and grandmother, Edna Vansant, worked as principal and secretary for 30 years. Joe graduated from Salisbury State University with a bachelor's degree in political science. He went on to graduate from University of Baltimore School of Law. He began his law career at the law firm of Peter G. Angelos in Baltimore, Md., where he met his wife, Denise, and later worked for Tunnell and Raysor Law Firm in Georgetown.

 

Joe was the first Rehoboth Beach local to be asked to join the Hobie Surf team. Joe completed many local triathlons with his beloved son, Dylan, especially the Dewey Beach Triathlons, for years. He also twice completed the Great Chesapeake Bay 4.4-mile swim. Joe loved to sail, and he and his family sailed all over the Chesapeake Bay for over 25 years. Joe competed in the Caribbean 1500 rally, North America's longest-running ocean rally/race. 

 

Joe loved being on the water and was known for his excellent crabbing skills! He gladly shared them with his family and friends, as he found the nature of picking crabs tedious. Joe was kind, caring, energetic, and a helpful and loyal friend, not only to those he attended Rehoboth High and the University of Baltimore School of Law with but to almost anyone he met. Joe was a proud member of Dewey Beach Lions Club, where his father, Gordon, was one of the earliest members.

Joe loved the ocean and recently was thrilled to work out and swim with Rehoboth Beach Patrol on Thursday mornings. 

 

Joe lived life to the fullest and embraced every chance for adventure. He traveled all over the world but especially loved Costa Rica. His passions were many, but above all, he loved his wife, Denise, and his son, Dylan.

   

Joe is preceded in death by his beloved son, Dylan Andrei Vansant. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Denise, his mother, Eleanor, and his Aunt Janet Rapkin. He is survived by his sister, Jacqueline; his brothers, James and Gordon; his sisters-in-law, Donna Guillott, Sandy Guillott and Melissa Vansant; and brothers-in-law, John Guillott, Ron Garrett and Stephen Machoian. Joe loved his nieces and nephews, Michelle Aprilliano, Christina Cassell, John Guillott III, Brittany Guillott, Hannah Vansant, Holly Vansant, Aaron Vansant and Isabella Vansant.

 

With a twinkle in his eye and a story for every occasion, Joe's words woven with humor and wisdom, will forever echo in the hearts of his family and friends.

 

In lieu of flowers, donate to Delaware Technical Community College, Dylan Andrei Vansant Memorial Scholarship, dtcc.edu/makeagift, and reference Fund 311.  

 

We love you, Joe, and will never forget you!