Joseph R. Salem, Sr.

Raleigh - Joseph R. Salem, Sr. of Raleigh, age 102, peacefully departed this earth on Tuesday June 28, 2011 from his home to be reunited with his wife of 66 years, Amelia. Joe was born May 5, 1909, to Shikery and Freda Salem in the Village of Hammana, Lebanon. His father, Shikery, left his homeland of Lebanon, a French Colony and predominantly Christian at that time, to seek a better life for his family in America. Shikery enlisted in the United States Army during World War I, where he saw service in France and was decorated for his bravery in saving two lives of his superior officers. Subsequently, in 1920, the Salem family of 6 sailed out of Cherbourg, France to Ellis Island and settled in New Bern, NC, their first home in America, where other relatives lived. In the fall of 1920, at the age of 11, Joe entered public school in New Bern, NC. Joe being fluent in French and Arabic, could not speak a word of English. He had been to school only about three months total in his life at that time because of the brutal World War I conditions in Lebanon thru which the family lived. Joe, being very quick to learn, advanced from the first to the fourth grade within a year. From then on he made his grade each year and every time stood at the top of his class. Joe graduated Valedictorian of his class at New Bern High School, class of 1929, with one of the highest four year averages ever made in the State of North Carolina. A newspaper article in the New Bern Sun Journal, dated May 15, 1929 was titled Joe Salem Leads Senior Class Finishes Brilliant Record; Speaks Three Languages. In Sept 1929 Joe entered North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering, now NCSU Raleigh. Joseph graduated Magna Cum Laude in June of 1933 in Electrical Engineering. After college Joe went on to become a Registered Professional Engineer. His career as an Electrical Engineer consisted of, employment with CP&L in Raleigh, handling general engineering problems and designing electrical power plants. In his career he operated private Consulting Engineering businesses in Raleigh and New Bern, NC designing huge electrical infrastructures for Hatteras Yacht, Weyerhaeuser, and the Town of Clayton, NC, just to name a few. Joe also served as City Electrical Engineer for the City of New Bern, NC. In 1971 he became full Building Inspector for the City of Raleigh, NC until 1975. After retirement, Joe thoroughly enjoyed substitute teaching until the age of 80, in the Raleigh Middle Schools and High Schools. With Joes great patriotism he enlisted into the US Army February 1942 during World War II. He possessed particular talents that the Army quickly recognized. He was placed in charge of military students as instructor in Radio Technique and Fundamentals of Electricity at the Radio-Television Institute in Newark, NJ. He was quickly promoted to Washington, DC, Military Intelligence, and appointed to the Signal Intelligence Service at the Army Security Agency. Joe in this capacity was appointed Cryptanalytic Officer for Translation of Middle Eastern Languages and the Breaking of Codes. This new cryptanalysis team, which the US government was just forming, played a great role in the success of the Allies military endeavors. Joseph, together with other linguists on this team, gathered together to use their collective ability in deciphering and analyzing coded languages. He served in this capacity until May 1946. Joe retired from the US Army in 1969 with the Rank of Major. Joe married Amelia Mettrey Wehbie of Raleigh, NC in 1942 at Saint Thomas More Catholic Church in Arlington, Va. He is survived by their four children Jay Salem and wife Maija of Dallas, Tx, Michael Ray Salem of Raleigh with his endless total devotion to both parents, Donna Salem Naeser and husband Scott of Raleigh, and Dr. Ronald P. Salem of Raleigh; two grandchildren Alex Salem of Denver, Co, and Annie Salem of Dallas, Tx; one great-grandson, Austin Salem of Denver, Co. He is also survived by numerous loving nephews and nieces from both sides of the family as well as family friend Rick Broom who has added joy and love to both Joe and Amelias lives over the last 12 years of their lives. Joe is predeceased by his wife Amelia, his parents Shikery Salem and Freda George Salem of New Bern, NC, two sisters Renee Halen of New Jersey, Bertha Fadel of Fayetteville, NC and one brother Albert Salem of Havelock, NC and Tampa Fl. . Joe was a wonderful, peaceful, loving and devoted husband, dad and mentor to all he knew, and no words can express how much we will miss him. He has touched our lives on every level in a very special way. His astoundingly brilliant mind, and worldly knowledge, was always captivating. A special thank you to Gena, Joes loving caregiver during his last 7 months and a special thanks to Hospice of Wake County. Visitation will be Thursday, July 7, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 PM at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 11401 Leesville Road, Raleigh 27613. A Mass of the Resurrection will be Friday, July 8, 2011 at 11:00 Am at St Francis of Assisi. Entombment with prayer and military recognition will follow Raleigh Memorial Park 7501 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, 27612 In lieu of flowers the family asks memorials be made in Joes name to Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607 or to St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church 11401 Leesville Rd, Raleigh, NC 27613. Arrangements by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 831 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh and condolences may be sent to the family at www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com.