John J. Salah Sr. Obituary
John J. Salah, Sr., 92 of Gloucester, husband of the late Eleanor F. (Grimes) Salah, passed away at home on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.
John was born on November 26, 1929, son of the late Kalil and Gebe (Karem) Salah. He attended St. Ann's School and was a graduate of Gloucester High School. John proudly served in the United States Army as a Morse Code Operator, during the Korean War from 1951-1953. In his early years he delivered groceries for his father's store Salah's Market. He ventured into Real Estate and later opened two restaurants The Village Sub and Pizza in Georgetown in 1973 and Salah's Roast Beef & Sub in East Gloucester Square in the 1980's. He worked for the Gloucester Housing Authority and ran for State Representative. John and Ellie enjoyed their retirement years poolside in Florida, entertaining many family and friends. He loved to sing, play golf, and watch his grandchildren's sporting events. John has been a devoted member of The Legion of Mary at Holy Family Parish, visiting the sick in hospitals and nursing homes in Gloucester and Rockport. He also delivered Meals on Wheels. John attended daily Mass, when possible, and had a strong faith. He always felt blessed in life and was proud of his family.
John is survived by his 8 children, Jay and Debbie (Ulbricht) Salah, Mark and Deborah (Klein) Salah, Craig and Linda (Ezzo) Salah, Judy Salah-Plank, Steve and Kelly (Lupo) Salah, Allison (Salah) and Lee Rubenstein, Scott and Fran (Cottone) Salah, Brian and Debra (Mahoney) Salah.
He has 14 grandchildren, Samantha (Salah) Ketchopulos, Becca and Olivia Salah, Alex and Briana Salah, Max and Zoe Plank, Thomas Salah and his wife Kayla, Joshua Salah, Will Rubenstein, Mia and Brady Salah, and Lexi and Luke Salah and 3 great-grandchildren, Logan and Rachel Ketchopulos, and Beau Thomas Salah.
John has many nieces and nephews including, Rhonda (Salah) Gaglio who spent many hours visiting John reminiscing about family, the old days and the Lebanese Community of Gloucester, of which they were proud to be a part.
In addition to his wife, Ellie with whom he shared 56 years of marriage, he was predeceased by his sisters, Evelyn Mann, Freda Bryson, Adele Kelly, Eunice Karem, and Teresa Salah; brothers, Fred Salah, Eddie Salah, Sammy Salah, and Jimmy Salah.
The Salah Family would like to give a special thank you to the staff and residents at Gloucester Healthcare who always provided John with such loving care and friendship. He called it his "second home.". We will be forever grateful to his nurses and aides, especially Linda (Victorine) Littleton who was his devoted caregiver and who made it possible for John to spend his final days at home.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Ann's Church on Monday, March 28, 2022, at 11am. All attendees are required to wear face covering during Mass.The Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Gloucester.
Visiting hours will be held in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester prior to the Mass on Monday from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to the Holy Family Parish, 60 Prospect Street, Gloucester MA.
