Joseph R. Salemme, Sr., 91, of New Haven passed away peacefully on Monday, December 14, 2015 at the St. Joseph Center, Trumbull.  He was the husband of the late Margaret A. O’Connor Salemme.  Joseph was born in Orange, CT on March 18, 1924; son of the late Alessandro and Philomena Farina Salemme; had served in the National Guards; worked as a truck driver for Eder Brothers for 35 years; was a member of the Teamsters Local #443, the West Haven Italian-American Civic Association and the New Haven Gaelic & Hurling Club, East Haven.  Joseph loved gardening and especially farming which was his family’s roots; he excelled in all types of sports, but most of all he was devoted to his family and friends whom he loved unconditionally.  Father of Jo-Anne S. Veillette, James J. Salemme and his wife Andrea, the late Joseph R. Salemme, Jr. and his late infant son Mark Salemme.  Grandfather of Lauren Veillette, Brittney, Victoria, James, Jaime and Joseph Salemme III.  Brother of Anthony Salemme (Rosemarie Fortier) and the late Charles, Dominic, Frank, Ralph , Sylvester and Antonio Salemme, Rose Colatosti, Jennie DeFelice, Anna Nacca, Elizabeth Smith, Mary Inzero and Dorothy Reynolds.  Also survived by his best friends, Steven A. Jacko, Larry A. Veillette, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.  The family would like to extend a special “Thank You” to the entire staff of the St. Joseph Center, Trumbull for the excellent care and comfort they provided to Joseph over these past few months.

His funeral procession will leave the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue Thursday morning at 8:30.  A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in St. Therese Church, North Haven at 9:00 am.  Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery. The visiting hours will be Wednesday from 4 to 7 pm.  Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Joseph Center, 6448 Main Street, Trumbull, CT  06611.