Obituary of Joseph Angelo Malena

Joseph Angelo Malena, 94 of New Britain, CT, husband of Theresa (Falvo) Malena, died peacefully on Friday January 10, 2025, at Ledgecrest Health Care Center in Kensington.

He was born on August 2, 1930 in East Hartford, CT, the son of the late O’Neila (Calza) and Joseph Malena. He grew up in East Hartford and Hartford. He was a Lance Corporal in the US Marines during the Korean War and then served in the Reserves.

Joe started his working career at Royal Typerwriter in Hartford and worked there for over 27 years until they closed. After that he worked as a maintenance man for the United Way of Greater Hartford and then for the Farmington Board of Ed at Irving Robbins Middle School, where he was loved by all who knew him.

Joe was a strong, loving and religious family man. He was a parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Church in New Britain for over 50 years, where he sang in the choir and led men’s rosary groups.

He was a devoted son, husband, father, brother, grandfather, and great grandfather or “Pa” as his girls called him. He taught us all the importance of family and love. He never missed a chance to be present at all his children’s and grandchildren’s concerts, sporting events or graduations. He was so proud. He will be missed greatly but will live on in our hearts and family traditions always.

In addition to his one true love, his wife of 67 years, Terry or Miss M as he affectionately called her, he leaves behind his daughters Patricia Tedesco and husband John of Berlin, Lisa Crenella and husband Dave of Berlin and his son Joseph Malena and his husband Robert Hartmann of Hope Valley, RI. He also leaves his pride and joys, his granddaughters Tricia Burnham and husband Donald and his grandsons, John Tedesco and wife Angela and Nicholas and Matthew Crenella. Nothing made him happier daily than looking at pictures of his four great granddaughters, Madelyn and Riley Burnham and Cora and Annie Tedesco.

Joe was one of 13 children. He was predeceased by all his siblings: Frank Yots, Oranzo Malena, John Malena, Albert Malena, Rocco Malena, Josephine Palenza, Lucy Vyskocil, Jeanna Destefano, Rose Garland, Mary Gionfriddo, Anita Appleby and Carmen Florkowski. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at Ledgecrest for all the care and love they have shown to our dad. He always told us you took such good care of him. We knew when we weren’t there he was in good hands.

Funeral services for Joe will be held on Wednesday (Jan 15) starting at 9:00AM from the Farrell Funeral Home, 110 Franklin Square New Britain, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. Paul Church, 485 Alling St. Berlin. Burial with Military Honors will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, 1141 Stanley St. Visitation will be held Tuesday (Jan 14) night from 5:00 – 7:00PM at the Farrell Funeral Home 110 Franklin Sq. New Britain.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzehimer’s Association 200 Executive Blvd. Suite 4B Southington, CT 06489.