Father John M. Capuci, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Woburn, was the principal celebrant and homilist for the funeral of Father Albert J. Sallese, celebrated at St. Patrick Church, Watertown, on Feb. 2, 2024.

Born in Waltham on Aug. 12, 1932, he was one of the seven children of the late Pasquale and Adelina (Frissora) Sallese. Surviving him are two sisters, Jeannie, Watertown, and Mary Velardi, Burlington.

The family were members of St. Patrick Parish, Watertown, where young Albert attended the parish elementary and high schools. He graduated in the Class of 1951 and served for a number of years in the United States Army as a hospital corpsman.

Prior to entering archdiocesan seminaries, he studied at St. Philip Neri School, and then entered Cardinal O'Connell Seminary, Jamaica Plain, followed by his philosophy and theology studies at St. John, Brighton.

Richard Cardinal Cushing ordained him to the priesthood at Holy Cross Cathedral on May 26, 1966. The cardinal also gave him his first assignment as an assistant at Most Holy Redeemer, East Boston.

In the following years he would serve in multiple archdiocesan parishes as an associate, parochial vicar, administrator, or pastor. Those assignments included St. Joseph, Medford (1974-1976); St. Patrick, Stoneham (1976-1984); and St. Bernadette, Randolph (1984-1988).

He was appointed pastor of Sacred Heart, Boston, on May 10, 1988, and at the same time, was appointed administrator, St. John the Baptist (Portuguese) Parish, also in East Boston.

During almost 12 years as pastor there, he served a term as vicar forane in the Central Region (1996-1998).

Bernard Cardinal Law named him pastor of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Parish, Hingham, on Jan. 24, 2000. Two years later, he returned to familiar territory as pastor at St. Bernadette, Randolph, serving until his retirement on July 28, 2003.

Bishop Richard G. Lennon, then the apostolic administrator of the archdiocese, accepted his retirement.

Archbishop Seán P. O'Malley called him out of retirement and named him administrator of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Quincy, for three months in early 2004. As a senior priest and prior to entering Regina Cleri Residence in Boston, he lived in residence in St. Blaise, Bellingham, and St. Margaret of Antioch, Saugus.

Father Sallese died at Regina Cleri after a period of declining health.

His funeral Mass was celebrated at his home parish, St Patrick, Watertown, and concelebrants included: Msgr. William M. Helmick; Msgr. George Carlson and Father Brian Flatley, both classmates; Fathers John Nichols and John Mullloy, both of Regina Cleri, and Father Albert Faretra, St. Blaise, Bellingham. West Regional Bishop Robert P. Reed celebrated the Final Commendation.

Father Sallese was buried in the Sallese family lot at St. Patrick Cemetery, Watertown.