Joseph Allen Salsbery of Rio Dell passed away on Tuesday, May 7th, 2019 at the age of 72. When Joe was diagnosed with cancer he was told he had three months to live. He battled the cancer for nearly five years.

Born August 11, 1946 to Allen Henry Salsbery and Mary Julia Miranda Salsbery, Joe attended Humboldt State University earning a B.A. in History and Industrial Arts plus a teaching certificate. He held a number of jobs over the years, including teacher, mill worker, commercial fisherman, car salesman, police officer and radio advertising sales. People were often astounded by the number of jobs he held down simultaneously.

As a police officer for the City of Rio Dell for nine years and the Ferndale Police Department for 10 years, Joe served the people of the community and kept them safe. This selflessness and willingness to help others reflected Joe’s personal life where he was always striving to assist friends and family with any problems they were experiencing.

Joe was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. He was also known for swing dancing, karaoke and being an avid reader.

He is survived by his two children, Launa and Ian Salsbery, as well as two grandchildren.

A gathering to celebrate Joe’s life will be held Friday, June 7 at the Fortuna Monday Club, 610 Main St., Fortuna, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude’s or the American Cancer Society.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Joe Salsbery’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.