Joseph A. Contardo passed away at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, on Dec. 16th, he was 89. Joseph was born in Boston, raised in the North End of Boston and went to St. Marys School in the North End. He lived in East Boston for 10 years and Wakefield since 1954. Joseph was a hard woking, devoted, family man and known for his caring & gentle manor. He was a WWII Army Veteran. Mr. Contardo worked as an electrician for the B&M Railroad for 20 years and owned a variety store on Salem St. in Wakefield for a short time. In 1957, Joseph joined the post office, he worked as a letter carrier and as a clerk for 27 years, retiring in 1984. Mr. Contardo enjoyed ballroom dancing for 61 years and danced at the Jackson Suite in Malden for 20 years. He was a member of St. Florence Church in Wakefield and was a former usher at church. Joseph is survived by his wife of 61 years Liboria Lee (Cassaro) Contardo. Father of Janice A. McNichols & her husband William of Lynnfield & Ellen J. Crozier & her husband Richard of Wakefield. Brother of Domenic Contardo of Dracut, Clara Lynch of Hudson and the late Guy, Otto, Anthony Contardo, Mary Mandra and Antoinette Corolla. Also survived by several nieces and nephews. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St. Melrose, on Monday Dec. 20th, at 9AM. Funeral Mass in St. Florence Church, 47 Butler Ave. Wakefield, at 10AM. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours Sunday 2-6PM. Burial in Forest Glade Cemetery in Wakefield. Memorial contributions may be made to the Malden Emergency Center, P.O. Box 154, Malden 02148.