Joseph A. Malena,

Joseph A. Malena, Sr., 63, of East Hartford, loving husband for 43 years to Barbara (Kay) Malena, passed away surrounded by his caring family on Tuesday (November 15, 2011) at Manchester Memorial Hospital. Born in Hartford on September 12, 1948, a son of the late Rocco A. and Dorothy (Pease) Malena, he had been a resident of East Hartford for most of his life. A talented ceramic tile setter, Joe was the owner and operator of ""Joseph Malena Ceramic Tile"" in the Greater Hartford area. An avid sports enthusiast, Joe was a dedicated and loyal fan of the Boston Red Sox and Dallas Cowboys. Besides his beloved wife, Barbara, Joe is survived by a son, Joseph A. Malena, Jr. of East Hartford; a daughter, Melissa ""Missy"" Malena-Jackson and her husband, Gregory Jackson, of East Hartford; and a granddaughter, Joslynn S. Jackson of East Hartford who was his pride and joy in life. He also leaves two brothers, Rocco A. Malena, Jr. and his wife, Mary, of Glastonbury, Wayne A. Malena of Whiteville, TN; two sisters, Nellie Galeota of Manchester, Darlene Fredericksen of East Hartford; a ""step-brother"", Frank G. Lindberg of Glastonbury; several nieces, nephews, friends, and customers.

Funeral services will be Thursday, November 17 at 7 p.m. at the D'Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. Private burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel on Thursday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Joe's name may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 300 Research Parkway, Suite 310, Meriden, CT 06450. For any on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.