SALEM - Mr. Joseph J. Cardella, 55, of Salem, passed away suddenly, Friday, February 14, 2020 at Beverly Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Medford, he was the son of the late Joseph and Carol (Murphy) Cardella. He was raised and educated in Danvers and was a graduate of Danvers High School.

Most recently Mr. Cardella had been employed at Colonial Gardens Assisted Living as a dishwasher for several years, and was also employed by Morgan Memorial in association with Goodwill Industries.

A loving son and brother, Joseph had a quiet nature and he was kind-hearted and friendly. In his youth, Joseph was a participant in the Special Olympics and was also involved in several activities with Northeast Arc. He loved to be around people, his work-mates, his family and friends, and his sweet nature endeared him to many. He was an enthusiastic collector of t-shirts and trinkets; he loved to travel whenever he could, was an avid reader, loved music and movies, and enjoyed doing puzzles in his spare time. He will always be remembered for his kind heart, his love of family and will be deeply missed by those who loved him.

Surviving Joseph are his sisters, Joanne Putnam and her husband Dana of Danvers, Gerry Cahill and her husband Jim of Beverly, and Carolyn Cardella and her wife Cheryl Guarino of Lowell as well as his six nieces and nephews and ten grand-nieces and nephews. He was also the uncle of the late Jennifer Petrie.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to his Funeral Service which will be held in the Peterson-O'Donnell Funeral Home, 167 Maple St., (Rte. 62) Danvers on Thursday, February 20th at 11:30 A.M. Burial in Annunciation Cemetery, Danvers. Visiting hours, prior to the service, from 9 to 11 A.M. Expressions of sympathy may be made in Joseph's memory to the Special Olympics, Attn: Web Gifts, 1133 19th St. NW, 12th Floor, Washington, DC 20036. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservcie.com .