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Joseph J. “Joe” Mara passed away Jan. 8. He was born in Yonkers, New York on June 30, 1931. He was predeceased by his mother and father, Helen McIntyre and Frank Mara, Sr.; his brother Frank Mara, Jr.; sisters Patricia Melin and Rosemary Vanderbilt; and his niece Patricia Simonsen.

Joe was a veteran of the Korean War. He was wounded in battle and sustained permanent injury. He served as a medic.

He lived in New York until 1974 when he moved to Old Saybrook where he lived until his death. He was a dedicated parishioner of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Essex.

Joe is survived by his niece Barbara Simonsen, her husband Carl Lettich, his great-niece and nephew Brittany and Christopher Lettich, and nieces Lori and Lisa Melin.

He fought his illness without a complaint and did not want to be a burden to anyone. His love of laughter and his sense of humor will be greatly missed by his family.

A funeral Mass was held Jan. 13 at St. Catherine’s of Siena Church in Riverside. There will be a graveside service at noon on Thursday, Jan. 14 at Riverside Cemetery in Old Saybrook.