Obituary of Joseph W. DiSalvo

Joseph William DiSalvo, 86, of Goshen, NY, loving husband, beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed peacefully on to eternal rest surrounded by his family on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at the V.A. Nursing Home at Montrose in Westchester, NY. Joseph was born September 6, 1931 in Brooklyn, NY, the son of Dominick and Giovanna "Francis" (Pipitone) DiSalvo. He was a graduate of East New York Vocational High School, where he learned boat building. Joe was a hard-worker throughout his life starting when he was a young boy. His father died when he was twelve, so he worked a before school and after school job to help support his mother. In 1951, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and served his country at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He also served in the Marine Reserves and Army National Guard until 1991. In 1954, after his Honorable Discharge, he returned to New York where he met his pen pal Mary Acella in person. They married on April 17, 1955 and lived in Middle Village, where they started their family, eventually settling in Elmhurst. Joe joined the NYC Sanitation Department, then went to the Police Academy and became a New York City Police Officer, starting in the 88 Precinct as a rookie cop. Eventually during his career he began working in the Harbor Patrol Launch Repair Shop, where he worked on repairing police launches for many years, retiring from Central Booking in Manhattan. He also worked for the New York Yankees as chauffer for George Steinbrenner and stadium security at Yankee Stadium. Joe lived a very interesting life, and had many fascinating stories he could share about the jobs he had and the famous people he met if you asked. He lived a life of love, generosity and kindness. Suffering with poor health as time went by, Joe was not one to complain. He was well-loved by many, many people, from the youngest on up. He was one of a kind and loved by so many, a true testament to the way he lived his life. Mary, his wife of 62 years, pre-deceased him on May 5, 2017. He is survived by his daughter Joanne and son-in-law Domenico Bernardo, son Joseph DiSalvo and daughter-in-law Gail, daughter Maria and son-in-law Anthony Puglisi, and daughter-in-law Debra Urbano-DiSalvo. His son Michael DiSalvo pre-deceased him in 2012. He is also survived by a sister, Mary Rocco and brother Michael. Joe will be greatly missed by his many grandchildren, Gina Bergdall and husband Robert, Anthony Bernardo and wife Pamela, Anthony Puglisi and fiancée Kasey, Paul and Nicholas Puglisi, Michael DiSalvo and wife Michele, Elissa DiSalvo, Joseph DiSalvo and Samantha, Jacqueline and Robert Santucci. Joe is also survived by great-grandchildren Julian and Audrey Bergdall, Olivia DiSalvo and Anthony Bernardo. The family of Joseph DiSalvo would like to acknowledge the wonderful care and concern shown to him and the family by the Glen Arden Nursing Home community and recently the V.A. Nursing Home at Montrose. Thank you for your skill and kindness. The family truly appreciates it. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital (a charity Joe and Mary supported), 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. www.stjude.org A Memorial Visitation will be Saturday, May 19 from 9 to 11 AM at the Donovan Funeral Home, Inc, 82 South Church Street, Goshen, NY, with Funeral Service at 10:30 am. Inurnment will follow in the Orange County Veteran's Cemetery, Goshen. .