Joseph W. Marinelli, Jr., 88, of North Haven, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Sept. 29, after a brief illness.  He was the beloved husband of Rita (Franceschelli) Marinelli. Joseph was born in Brooklyn, New York, on May 24, 1924, son of Joseph and Santina Marinelli.  A World War II veteran, he took part in the D-Day campaign, one of the thousands of servicemen who came ashore on Omaha Beach in the first wave invasion of Normandy, France, in June 1944. 

Finishing his distinguished service to his country as an MP, he returned stateside to study the automotive repair trade.  He was the co-owner of a well respected business with his brother, Bill Marinelli, in his home town of North Haven until 1976.  Taking on a new challenge, he further honed his skills as a first class machinist, building nuclear submarines at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics, retiring in 1988. 

An avid car enthusiast, he admired the advances in automotive technology and awaited the release of every new model with great anticipation.  His greatest enjoyment, however, was spending time with his family, taking pleasure in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. 

He will be remembered as being a gentle man and a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. 

Besides his wife, he is survived by his children, Beth Spose and her husband David and Joseph Marinelli III and his wife Wendy, to whom he was devoted.  He is also survived by his grandchildren, Lindsay and Michael Spose and Santina and Olivia Marinelli, who will cherish memories of their loving grandfather.  He is survived by two sisters, Mary Bouteiller and Rose Caputo and her husband Ben; two sisters-in-law, Mary Serravalle and Ernestine Colosimo; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his sister, Lena Marino, and his brother, Bill Marinelli.

Friends and family may call at the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Ave., North Haven, on Wednesday, Oct. 3, from 4 to 7 p.m.  His funeral procession will leave the North Haven Funeral Home on Thursday, Oct. 4, at 9:30 a.m., for a mass of Christian burial at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 2819 Whitney Ave., Hamden, at 10 a.m.  Burial with full military honors will follow at All Saints Cemetery, North Haven.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Whitney Manor, 2798 Whitney Ave., Hamden, CT 06518.  www.northhavenfuneral.com.