Joseph P. Salvemini of Valley Cottage, New York, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at the age of 73. He was born on June 26, 1945, in Brooklyn, New York, to Onofrio (Neil) and Vita Salvemini. Joe graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School in 1962 and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Hofstra University in 1966. Joe married his wife of 46 years, Mary (Romito), on September 18, 1971, in Franklin Square, Long Island.
Joe served as a Special Agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration of the United States Department of Justice for 31 years. Joe developed innovative programs to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the United States and pursued dealers all over the world. He worked undercover in New York City and South Florida. He destroyed cocaine labs in the jungles of Latin America with Operation Snowcap. Joe then spearheaded Operation Princess and the Southeast Florida Regional Task Force, achieving the most successful money laundering investigation in DEA history, which resulted in over $23 million dollars seized. After Joe retired from the DEA, he served as director of security at several institutions in the New York City area. Most recently, Joe worked at Hastings High School in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, where he was beloved by the staff and students who knew him as “Papa Joe.”
Joe lived life to the fullest through his impeccable work ethic and his love of family and church. Joe loved dogs and supported canine rescue leagues. He had an unstoppable ability to reach out to people in need and assist them in an unselfish and positive way. Joe was a dedicated husband. He prided himself in the accomplishments of his children, and he delighted in his grandchildren. Joe is survived by his wife, Mary, and four children: Vita (Robert) Rutledge (Joe, Anthony, and Vittoria), Philomena (Jason) Hilton (Cannon and Vivian), Josephine (David) Vitale (Giada and Luciana), and Neil Salvemini. He is also survived by his sister Maria (Barry) Litman (Peter) and his brother Anthony (Kathy) Salvemini (Ellen and Neil).
Family will receive visitors on Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Hannemann Funeral Home, 88 S. Broadway, Nyack, New York. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday at St. Paul’s Church in Congers, followed by interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joe’s name to United Hospice of Rockland or Hi-Tor Animal Shelter.