Joseph Gaetano Dalessio, Sr., age 73 of Woburn, formerly of Somerville, Medford, Kissimmee and St. Cloud, Fla. Passed away Friday, April 6, 2007, peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends after a long courageous battle with cancer.

Joseph was born July 9, 1933 in East Boston to the late Gaetano and the late Cesidia (Eramo) Dalessio. He attended Barnes and East Boston High Schools. He married Margaret Ann “Peggy” Belcher on August 23, 1953.

Joe and Peggy founded and owned Artery Sales and Service, Somerville and Artery Lock Service, Inc. of Medford from 1960 through 2001.

Joe was a member of Medford’s Salem Street Business Association, was past Venerable of the Medford-Somerville Lodge of the Order of Sons of Italy, member of the St. Joseph Grenadier’s Band Parents Association, founder of the Nicholai Struzzi Lodge in Kissimmee, Fla., Member of the South End Italian Club of Woburn and was past President and long-time officer of the Mass. Locksmiths Association.

He was the beloved husband of Margaret “Peggy” (Belcher) Dalessio with whom he shared 53 years of marriage. He was the devoted father of Joseph G. Dalessio, Jr. and his wife Laura of Lititz, PA, Margaret Jensen and her husband Lyle of Largo, FL, Diane DeSimone of Melrose,
David A. Dalessio and his wife Cheryl of Winthrop, Laura Baccini and her husband Domenic of Billerica, Linda Spencer of Medford. He was a loving grandfather to Angela Borges, Joseph G. III and his wife Melissa, Michael, and Steven Dalessio, Charlie and Jessica Giuffrida, Jennifer, Pamela, Holly and Joey DeSimone, David, Mia and Glen Dalessio, Domenic, Liana, Lisa and Anthony Baccini, Paul, Sean and Adam Spencer, Brooks, Gracie, Jaden and Ronni Dalessio. He was a dear brother-in–law to Ava Belcher and her late husband William F. Belcher, III and Michael Belcher. Uncle to Karen, Yvonne, Lisa, Michele and Bill Belcher, IV.

Relatives and friends may visit Tuesday from 4 - 9 at the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford. Procession from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, Wednesday at 10 AM followed by a mass celebrating Joseph’s life offered in Saint Joseph Church, 118 High Street, Medford at 11 AM, with the Rev’d Patrick McLaughlin, presiding. Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.

Contributions may be made in Joe’s name to Hospice Care Inc., 100 Sylvan Road, Woburn, MA 01801.