59°
FAIRFIELD, Conn. John Maltese, 87, of Fairfield, died at his home on April 16, with family at his side.
He was born Nov. 15, 1924, in Manhattan, to the late Frank and Jennie Maltese. He was a lieutenant in the U.S. Army during both World War II and the Korean War. Maltese was also a lifetime member of the Connecticut National Guard.
Maltese was a past commander and member of American Legion Post 143, and a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9427, both in Fairfield. Prior to his retirement, he was a sales promotion manager at Joseph E. Seagrams for more than 25 years.
In 1972, Maltese was named Man of the Year by Paul Masson Wines. After his retirement, he worked at Black Bear Liquor Store in Westport and Turnpike Spirits in Fairfield. He loved to travel the world and was an avid New York Yankees fan.
Maltese is survived by his wife of 65 years, Grace Maltese; a daughter, Norma Jean (Jim) Maltese of Fairfield; two sons, Frank J. (Carmela) Maltese of Easton and John (Diane) Maltese Jr. of Mount Laurel, N.J.; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home in Fairfield Center. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Pius X Church in Fairfield. Burial with military honors will follow in Lawncroft Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the Thomas Merton Center, 43 Madison Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06604.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Fairfield and receive free news updates.
