Joseph V. Silvestri, Sr., 72, of Macungie, formerly of Commack, Long Island, N.Y., died Jan. 17, 2015, at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest. He was the husband of Rosemary T. (Pearsall) Silvestri to whom he was married for 49 years last Nov. 6. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was the son of the late Carmine A. and Aida (Minieri) Silvestri.

He faithfully and honorably served his country in the U.S. Navy during a peacetime era prior to the Vietnam War.

He was employed as a sales manager in the automobile industry for 30 years before retiring.

He was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus, Council #10921, both of Orefield.

He is survived by his wife; children, Joseph V. "Jay" Jr. and his wife, Jackie, of Jarrettsville, Md., Anita T. Krinock, of Dover, James A. and his wife Susan, of Greenlawn, N.Y.; siblings, Susan B. Cotela, of Somers, Conn., John J. and his wife Benita, of Emory, Texas, Thomas A. and his wife Carol, of Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., Mary A. and her husband James Sheridan, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Edward V. and his wife Lauren, of Palm Bay, Fla.; grandchildren, Maya, Marisa, Gianna and Isabelle; beloved dog, Jake.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, c/o the funeral home, P.O. Box #196, Schnecksville, 18078-0196.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Jan. 21 at St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, 1879 Applewood Drive, Orefield. Family and friends may pay their respects 9:30 to 11 a.m. Jan. 21 in the church. Arrangements were made by the Heintzelman Funeral Home, Inc., Schnecksville.