Dover — Joseph  W. Sarette, Sr.,  "Sammy", died on July 9 in Stuart, Florida.

Born in South Berwick, Maine, July 28, 1929, the son of the late Joseph W. and Gladys E. (Goodwin) Sarette. He grew up in South Berwick, Maine.

He attended Central School in South Berwick and then attended Dover High School.  He excelled in football, baseball, basketball, and track.  During his sophomore year, he was recruited by the Philadelphia Phillies farm team and tried out as a catcher with the Philadelphia Phillies.  At his mother's urging, he returned to finish high school.  During his Junior year at Dover High School, he was well known for his football career and his 84-yard punt at the 1947 Concord game.  He was a four letterman at Dover High School and all state in football in 1948 following an undefeated season. He graduated from Tilton School.  He attended the University of Nebraska on a football scholarship and returned home after a serious ankle injury.

In October 1951, he enlisted in the US Navy and was honorably discharged in 1955.    He served as a Quartermaster on the USS Bache which was stationed in Norfolk, VA.  He was fortunate to travel to the Mediterranean and many foreign countries.

He was inducted into the Dover High School Sports Hall of Fame in 1988.

Prior to his retirement, he worked for the US Postal Service for 35 years.  He enjoyed his work at the Post Office and the many customers on his route.

He and his beloved wife, Leona, enjoyed playing golf.   They were former members at Cochecho Country Club, the Oaks, and Martin County Golf Course (Stuart, FL).  He was a member of the New Hampshire Golf Association.  After his retirement, they enjoyed their condo at Cedar Pointe in Stuart, Fl during the winter months.  They took a number of cruises to the Carribean and Hawaii.

Sammy was a communicant of St. Charles Church/Parish of the Assumption, Dover, NH and St. Joseph Church, Stuart Florida.  He was a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers, the American Legion and past member of the Kiwanis.

He is survived by his wife, Leona (Girard), of 66 years, his daughter, Leigh Anne Melanson and husband, David, of Dover, NH;  two sons, David Sarette and wife Sandy of Edmond, OK;  Joseph Sarette, Jr. of Grandy, NC.  Seven grandchildren: Brent Sarette and his wife, Niki; Ryan Garrett; Lindsay Sarette; Kaleigh Cheslock and her husband, Joe; Megan Speese and her husband, Mike; Chris Melanson and his fiancée, Erin; and Tyler Sarette.  Seven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his step-father, Victor Collier; sister Elaine Watters;  brother-in-laws, James Watters, Louis Landry and Henry Pike; sister-laws Claire Landry and Adrienne Pike.

We want to express our gratitude to the staff of VITAS hospice services for the wonderful in-home care they provided over the last 17 months.

Donations in his Sammy's name may be made to:  VITAS Community Connection, 11380 SW Village Parkway, Suite 100, Port St. Lucie, FL  34987 Attn:  Daily Martinez.

Visitation will be held at St. Joseph Church, 150 Central Avenue, Dover, NH, on Monday, August 2 ^nd , at 9:00 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:00 a.m.  Burial will be at St. Charles Cemetery

in Dover following the mass.