Joseph Furtado Salema, 76, of Fox Hill Avenue passed away on Oct. 15, 2020, at Rhode Island Hospital. He was the husband of Herminia (Matos) Salema.   

Born in Villa Franca do Campo, Sao Miguel, Azores, Portugal, he was the son of the late Pedro and Mary Alice (Ferro) Salema. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children: Caroline Salema of Riverside, Jerry Salema and his wife Kelly of Swansea, and Lisa Martins of Bristol, and his grandchildren, Jessica Almeida, Hayley Almeida, Joshua Salema, Jacob Salema, Cohen Martins and Bristol Martins. He was the brother of Stephanie Vieira and nephew of Joseph Ferro and Alcina Motta.

Mr. Salema was educated in Bristol and employed by Carol Cable for 25 years. He then went to work for the Town of Bristol and was instrumental in creating the displays seen in the flower planters throughout the downtown area.

His passions in life were his family first and then plants. His love for gardening could be seen at his home, his children’s homes and all over Bristol. He was a social member of the Bristol Fire Department.

His funeral services were held Oct. 19 from the George C. Lima Funeral Home, with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Rev. Marinaldo Batista at St. Elizabeth’s Church. Liturgical readings were by Jessica Almeida and Greg Matos. The Prayer of the Faithful was read by Joey Vieira, and the eulogy was given by Hayley Almeida.

Burial followed in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Jerry Salema, Josh Salema, Jacob Salema, Brent Alardia, Greg Matos and Joey Vieira.

Memorial donations may be made to: Town of Bristol, Joseph Salema Flower Planting Fund, 10 Court St., Bristol RI 02809.

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