Obituary of Joseph F. Saeli

Joseph F. Saeli, 92, of 324 Willard St., passed away Thursday August 17, 2017 in his home surrounded by his family. He was born December 8, 1924 in Jamestown, the son of the late Samuel and Edvige Patrucco Saeli Sr. A graduate of Jamestown High School, he was drafted into the US Navy on March 10, 1943 at the height of WWII. His entire time was served aboard the DE-24 USS Whitmann. Joe's duty was at the helm of the ship, however his battle was gun captain on the 1.1 caliber reciprocating 4 barreled "pom pom" gun, firing at incoming Japanese attack aircraft. He served in the hot spots of the Pacific, including Pearl Harbor, the Marshall Islands, submarine patrol in Tarawa Lagoon, Makin Island, Majuro, Salpan, and Eniwetok. After returning from the war, he married Mary Josephine Lupica (Josie). He then worked alongside her family as a bartender at the Coconut Grove aka "Shorty's" for many years. He then continued to work as a bartender at a few of the well known "hot spots" at the time in Jamestown. Joe gave up bartending and became a self-employed carpenter until he retired. In his earlier years, he enjoyed bowling and riding his Honda motorcycle. He was always an avid hunter and later in life enjoyed hunting with grandsons Bill and Jim Gage. Joe was very proud to be an American and the time he served in the Navy. WWII was never a subject discussed until the last 2 years in which his grandson, Jim Gage, finally got him to open up and tell his war stories which he enjoyed doing. Many people knew Joe as the guy with the gun raffle tickets. He spent hours each year selling tickets for the area clubs and fire departments. Joe was a member of Lakewood Rod and Gun Club; Herman Kent Post 777 American Legion; and VFW Post 53. He received a Special Council Award for life saving by Jamestown Safety Council on February 28, 1959, for saving the life of a 4 year old who had fallen into a swollen creek in Fentonville, NY. He is survived by 6 daughters, Toni Jo Wulf (Dennis Gage) of Russell, PA; Marie Saeli of Frewsburg, NY; Bobbie Jo Saeli with whom he shared his home with; Wendy Abbey (David), Mary Jo Hanson (Jerry) and Tori Hoover all of Russell, PA; one son, Joseph (LuAnn) Saeli of Warren, PA. Also surviving are several grandchildren and great grandchildren. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a son Joseph in 1956; two sisters, Louise Saeli and Frances Turner; and a brother, Samuel Saeli Jr. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in the Lind Funeral Home. Rev. Deacon Cathy Smith, Hospice Chaplain will officiate. Burial with full Military Honors will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. Joe's family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to Jessica, Tenielle, and Julie from Hospice for their support and help during Joe's illness. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care, 20 W. Fairmount Ave, Lakewood, NY 14750. You may leave a condolence at www.lindfuneralhome.com.