Joseph A. DeSarbo passed away peacefully on Dec. 4 after a long illness, surrounded by his loving family at Middlesex Hospice, Middletown. He was born in Hamden on Feb. 27, 1935, to the late Joseph A. DeSarbo and Rose Carbonella DeSarbo.
He graduated from Hamden High School. After attending business college, Joe worked for the family business J. DeSarbo & Bros. on South Orange Street, New Haven. His grandfather started the business more than 100 years ago, going door to door selling soup bunches via horse and buggy.
The business grew over the years while he worked for his father. At the passing of his father, he became president of the company until the time of his death. In the ‘60s Joe bought his uncle’s business and the name was changed to Carbonella & DeSarbo. In 1964 Joe moved the business to the New Haven Food Terminal. At the time of his death, he was vice president of the New Haven Food Terminal, a position he held for several years. He devoted his life to the business that he was so proud of. He only knew hard work ethics and loved going to work every day. Joe was also a police officer for two years with the Hamden Police Department.
He was a member of the Westbrook Elks for 23 years. He was also a member of Madison Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. Through Rotary he came to know Dr. Jerry Lowney, president of the Haitian Health Foundation, and traveled to Jeremie, Haiti, several times, working as a volunteer at the Haitian Health Foundation Clinic. Joe donated “Happy Houses” to the poorest families in Jeremie, purchased several goats that were given to families, and sponsored families through the Save-A-Family program for more than 20 years.
Surviving to cherish his beautiful memories are his wife Ruth of 24 years; his sons Joe DeSarbo and wife Leah of Wallingford, Michael DeSarbo of New Haven, and John DeSarbo of Woodbridge; daughters Jean DeSarbo-DeMayo and son-in-law Jay DeMayo of Woodbridge, and Diane DeSarbo-Klein and husband Mark Klein of Orange; and his beloved stepson Edward Hannett and wife Kim of Westbrook.
Joe had 11 grandchildren, Maria DeSarbo of Branford; Michelle DeSarbo Centore’s of West Haven; Kristin DeSarbo Evans of Branford; Jayme DeMayo, Joshua DeMayo, and Jonathan DeMayo of Woodbridge; Allie Klein, Jonah Klein, Kaitlyn Klein, and Leah Klein of Orange; and Faith DeSarbo of Woodbridge. He also had two great-grandsons, Sebastion Boney of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Declan Evans of Branford. His extended family included four step-grandchildren, Abby Sanford, Libby Sanford, and Hunter Sanford of Westbrook, and Tobin Hannett of Zebulon, North Carolina; and his faithful rescue dog Marley who never left his side. Joe loved sitting in his recliner and petting Marley sitting in his lap.
A very special thank you to Edward, Kim, Abby, and Libby for being there the past few weeks for Joe’s final journey.
Family and friends are invited to attend The Swan Funeral Home, 80 E. Main St., Madison, on Dec. 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. for calling hours. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Dec. 9 at 11 a.m. at St. Mark’s Parish, 222 McVeagh Rd., Westbrook. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Westbrook. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Joe’s memory to Haitian Health Foundation Hurricane Matthew Victims, c/o Madison Rotary Club, P.O. Box 335, Madison, CT 06443.