Joseph Grieco, longtime salesman for Park Inn Ford

Joseph Grieco, a longtime salesman for Park Inn Ford in Valley Stream, died Sept. 20 at Lake Placid near his summer home after a long illness. He was 82.

A graduate of Valley Stream Central High School, Grieco served in the U.S. Army during World War II, stationed with occupation forces in Austria following Germany’s surrender. After the war, he graduated from Ohio State University and became a salesman at Park Inn Ford. He worked for more than a half-century there winning numerous salesmanship awards, and was noted for honesty, loyalty, friendliness and humor.

Grieco married the former Dolores Catena at St. Clare’s Church in Rosedale, Queens. They lived in Valley Stream but later moved to Oyster Bay Cove. In 2003 the couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a party in Saranac Lake, N.Y.

At St. Dominic’s Church in Oyster Bay, Grieco belonged to the pastoral council and was a lector and special minister of Holy Communion, regularly taking Communion to people who were homebound. For many years, he and his wife were volunteer ministers at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola. He also served as treasurer of the St. Joseph’s Prayer Center in Patchogue.

In addition to his involvement with the parish, Grieco was active in the American Legion. He also enjoyed boating and fishing.

In addition to his wife, survivors include daughters Susan of Armonk, N.Y., Mary Sheehan of Mill Neck and Anne Crawford of Wendover, Utah; sons Greg of Saratoga Springs and Ed of Lawrenceville, Ga.; sister Joan Smith of Valley Stream; 11 grandchildren, a great-grandchild soon to be born and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Burial was at St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale. Donations can be made to the St. Joseph’s Prayer Center, 312 Maple Ave., Patchogue, N.Y. 11772 or the Quentin Roosevelt Post of the American Legion, P.O. Box 411, Oyster Bay, N.Y. 11771.