Enlisted as Joseph Salvatore Poleto on 10 November 1942; discharged on 5 March 1946

NORTHAMPTON - Joseph Salvadore Poleto, 87, of State Street and formerly of 91 Market Street passed away peacefully on Thursday at the Hampshire Care in Leeds after a brief period of failing health. Joe was born in Northampton on February 10, 1922 the son of Italian immigrants, Salvatore and Margarita (Cereasi) Poleto. Joe was a lifelong resident of the city, attending local schools and graduating from Northampton High School. He was an outstanding athlete while in High School, excelling in Track and Field events and earning him the nickname "Wheels" for his speed. He enlisted in the US Army during World War II, proudly serving with Company B of the 353rd Infantry Regiment as a Private First class. Joe saw action in Central Europe and the Rhineland and was in the invasion of D-Day. He received the European African Middle Eastern theatre Campaign Ribbon, the American theatre Campaign Ribbon and the Victory Medal. He returned home in 1946 and joined his parents in the family business, Poleto's Market, which they started in 1908. Joe assumed ownership in 1972 after the passing of his parents, working from seven in the morning till ten in the evening, seven days a week. Poleto's was one of the last family owned neighborhood markets in the city. Joe was the last of six children, his sisters, Anna Tessier, Mary Patenaude, Rose Poleto, Frances O'Leary and Augustina "Chris" Pothier all predeceased him. He leaves several nieces and nephews, and several great nieces and nephews. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday morning at 10:00 A.M. in Blessed Sacrament Church followed by burial in St. Mary's Cemetery. A Calling hour will precede the Funeral from 8:30 to 9:30 A.M. at the Czelusniak Funeral Home of Northampton. Donations in Joe's memory may be made to Blessed Sacrament Church, 354 Elm Street, Northampton, Mass. 01060.
(Springfield Republican, Friday 6 March 2009, on-line at genealogybank.com)