John Salemi 79, of Centerbrook, a former long time resident of Westbrook, died on July 28 at his home. He was born in Middletown on March 9, 1933, son of Sebastiano and Maria (Lanza) Salemi. John had resided in Centerbrook with his son Joel and his family for the last four years. He had also lived for many years in Westbrook and raised his family there.

John had been a sheet metal worker and member of Local Union No. 40 for over 40 years. He loved the water and was an avid fisherman. John’s other interests included cooking and being a faithful fan of the New York Giants and Yankees.

John was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having proudly served his country during the Korean War. He was a former member of the Westbrook Lodge of Elks and the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Florida.

He is survived by his three sons, John and his wife Kerry of Wallingford, James and his wife Jessica of Old Saybrook, and Joel and his wife Darla of Centerbrook; his two daughters, Andrea Caldwell and her husband Steven of East Hampton and Donna Salemi and her longtime boyfriend Darryl MarcAurele of Niantic; his six grandchildren; and one great-grandson. He is also survived by two sisters, Victoria Marino of Middletown and Josephine Marchese of Rockfall, and his caregiver, Charlie Parson of Madison, “one of the only living angels on the planet,”

Visitation will be held at the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main St., Centerbrook, on Tuesday, July 31, from 6 to 8 p.m.  A graveside service with the rendering of full military honors take place on Wednesday, Aug. 1, at 11 a.m., in Resurrection Cemetery, Route 145, Westbrook. In lieu of flowers, gifts in his name may be made to the Alzheimers Association., 2075 Silas Deane Highway, Suite 100, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. To share a memory of John or send a condolence to his family please visit www.rwwfh.com.