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Joseph Anthony Cardarelli, Sr., age 88 passed away on April 22, at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, one day after his 88th birthday and five days before he and his wife, Gertrude, were to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary. Born April 21, 1924, son of Michael and Josephine (Salvucci) Cardarelli, Joseph was educated in Haverhill schools, graduating in the Class of 1942. He attended Northeastern University in Boston and served in World War II for four years, being discharged as a Tech Sergeant in the Army. Joseph was a prominent businessman in Haverhill who owned and operated Merrimack Industrial Finishes, Inc. in Bradford for thirty years with his wife, Gertrude. They sold their business in 1974 and retired at that time. They spent many summers at their home in Hampton Beach.
Joseph was a director of the Northeast Community Credit Union, having served as Chairman of the Board for several years. He was invested in the American Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in 1962 by the late Francis Cardinal Spellman at the St. Patrick Cathedral in New York. This appointment, sponsored by the late Richard Cardinal Cushing, was a direct appointment from Pope John Paul XXIII in the Vatican. He was the only remaining Knight of Malta in the area.
Joseph was a member of St. Michael’s Church until its closing. He was a Eucharistic minister, Chairman of the Parish Council, Chairman of the Finance Committee and past President of the Holy Name Society. He later became a member of All Saints Parish. He was a member of the third degree Knights of Columbus and past Faithful Navigator of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus and a member of Advisory Committee of the Don Orion Home in Bradford, Son of the Boston of the Divine Providence, Men’s Guild of the Holy Family Hospital, the Hale Hospital Foundation, Charter member of the Men of Merrimack College, past director of the Haverhill Boys Club, the Greater Haverhill Industrial Management Club, The Ferrari Owners Club of America, Haverhill Country Club, The New England Paint and Varnish Association, the “M” Club of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, American Legion Am Vets and Disabled American Veterans.
Most all holidays were celebrated at the Cardarelli home, always full of relatives and friends. Many still talk about the wonderful times they had at Aunt Gert and Uncle Joe’s and those all those memories will not be forgotten. Uncle Joe was always there for everyone. When a helping hand was needed, he was there. When problems arose, he was there to solve them with a smile. His favorite hobby was oil painting, which he did with a lot of love, making gifts of his paintings to many friends and relatives who were glad to receive them. His pride and joy was his granddaughter, Jillian Marie Cardarelli.
To know him was to love him ~ he will be truly missed.
Joseph leaves behind his wife, Gertrude (Rowinski) Cardarelli of almost 65 years, one son, Dr. Joseph A. Cardarelli, Jr. and his wife, Darcy Anne, one granddaughter, Jillian Marie Cardarelli, one brother, Vincent Cardarelli of Haverhill, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, John Cardarelli of Hampton, NH and Mario Cardarelli of Groveland.
ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his Funeral on Thursday, April 26th at 11:00 from the H.L. Farmer & Sons Funeral Home, 106 Summer St. Haverhill followed by a Funeral Mass at Noon at All Saints Church, 120 Bellevue Ave. Haverhill. Interment with military honors will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Haverhill. Calling hours at the Funeral Home will be Wednesday from 4-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to All Saints Church, 120 Bellevue Ave. Haverhill, MA 01832 or to the donor’s choice. Condolences to his family may be made at www.farmerfuneralhomes.com
