Joseph “Joe” Calafiore, 67, of 12 Oakwood Drive, Gales Ferry, passed away peacefully Thursday evening at Backus Hospital after a short illness with his loving family at his side.
Joe was born in Sicily on March 22, 1939 the son of Paul and Concetta Calafiore. He emigrated to the United States at the age of 10, settling in Hartford.
After receiving his education, he entered the United States Air Force where he served for 24 years before his retirement in 1982. He was later employed as a clerk at the New London Post Office for 20 years.
Joe was a communicant of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Gales Ferry and was a member of the Ledyard/Gales Ferry Lions Club.
He will be remembered as a loving husband and father whose gave of himself selflessly. He enjoyed gardening, and took great pride in his children and extended family.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Renee Calafiore; three children, Marc Calafiore of North Haven, Natalie Mully of Mystic, and Valerie Barnett of Gales Ferry; two sisters, Sally Keefe of Old Saybrook and Joanne Grollman of Sharon, MA; and 8 grandchildren.
Joe’s family will greet relatives and friends at The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic on Monday from 6-8pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Rte. 12, Gales Ferry on Tuesday at 10am. Burial with military honors will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic.
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