LEICESTER: Jouko B. "Ko" Salminen was born in Worcester on April 19, 1919. He was the son of Finnish immigrants, Oskar and Wilma Salminen. He was the youngest of 6 children raised on the family farm learning skills he would later use on his own homestead in Leicester. Jouko worked for forty-two years at Morgan's Construction Company, and during that time he was the proud recipient of a U.S. patent granted in 1956 for his improved welding helmet. Jouko and his wife Gloria had three daughters who grew up in a home filled with music, love, laughter, and his Finnish philosophy of SISU - meeting life's challenges with perseverance and a positive attitude. One of his favorite hobbies was fishing with his family for striped bass out of Barnstable Harbor on Cape Cod. For several years, Jouko and Gloria were members of the Worcester County Light Opera Club performing in light opera productions. They were also members of the Worcester Music Festival Chorus and the Messiah Chorus. With their growing family, Jouko and Gloria were active members of Wesley United Methodist church in Worcester where they shared their musical talents in the choir and Sunday School. Jouko was a 32nd degree Master Mason and a member of the Alethia Grotto and the Scottish Rite. Jouko and Gloria were past Worthy Patron and Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star. Jouko is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years, Gloria; three daughters, Glenda Keith, Gloria Pahigian, and Gilda Green; eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Jouko passed away peacefully on December 14. Donations in Jouko's name may be made to the Leicester Senior Center, 40 Winslow Ave, Leicester, MA,01524.