Obituary of Pat Salimeno

Pasquale E. (Pat) Salimeno, 1st Sgt USMC Ret, of Masten Lake, NY, 81, died peacefully on Tuesday, June 23, 2009, surrounded by the loving care of his devoted wife Joyce and treasured friends Lurline, Burieigh, Lori and the amazing staff of SNU at Catskill Regional Medical Center, Harris, New York.He was born May 18,1928 in Westerly, Rhode Island to the late Anthony and Julia Kemmer Salimeno and was raised with two younger brothers, Ronald and Kenneth, both deceased.Pat served in the US Marine Corps from 1948 until retirement in 1970. Tours of duty included Viet Nam and Korea and he was awarded the Purple Heart for combat injuries in Korea on August 12,1950. Other military awards included Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Citation and Expert Badge in Rifle. He was selected by the Headquarters Marine Corps to be the first military advisor to the Seabees in Davisville, Rhode Island in 1961 and served in that capacity for 4 years. The Seabees then bestowed the unusual honor of awarding the title of Honorary Seabee. Following military service, he began a 22-year career with the State of New York originally with the NYS Alcohol & Drug Control Commission and once that program ended with the NYS Correction Department, retiring in 1992.Pat was Past President of the Masten Lake Sports Association, a member of the Calabrese Society of Westerly, Rhode Island, Catskill Fly Fishing Museum, Fleet Reserve Association, VFW Wurtsboro Post and the Purple Heart Hall of Fame.He loved the home and life he and Joyce shared for 32 years, and was well known for his gardening expertise along with fishing and collecting lures, flies and tackle along with the incredible stories of his experiences during his much loved military career.Survivors include his beloved wife Joyce Lowe Salimeno at home and their cherished pet, Nikki, his sister-in-law Martha Salimeno, son David, daughter Carol and 3 grandchildren, a niece Marcy and nephew Craig and cousins, Marge, George and Virginia. Pat and Joyce were blessed with many devoted friends and the outpouring of love, kindness and caring during Pat's illness became a gift beyond measure and will never be forgotten.Visitation will take place on Sunday, June 28, 2009 at the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home, 401 Broadway in Monticello, New York from 12 Noon to 2PM followed by services with Marine Corps Honor Guard and NYS Honor Guard beginning at 2:00. Officiating at the services will be close friend Rev. Paul Case. Cremation will be private. Interment of cremains will take place privately in the North Branch Heavenly Rest Cemetery in North Branch, NY with Pat's parents-in-law Helen and Kenneth Lowe.In lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of Pat to CRMC Foundation Salimeno SNU Special Fund, P.O. Box 800, Harris, NY 12742.