Joseph Stanley Salacki

Joseph “Joe” Stanley Salacki II—rock-and-roll aficionado and master storyteller—passed away at home on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at the age of 66.

Born on July 18, 1958, in Wilmington, Delaware, to Phyllis Audrey Mack and Joseph Stanley Salacki, Joe’s life was anything but ordinary. At eight years old, he moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he discovered two lifelong loves: baseball and music. He became an unwavering St. Louis Cardinals fan and spent many hours listening to Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Yes, and the Who—always keeping the volume at full blast.

Joe had a knack for turning the everyday into an adventure. In college, he took a job at Hardee’s scooping fries, a gig that turned into a fulfilling 23-year career, taking him from Missouri to North Carolina and back again. Along the way, he collected stories and friends, never hesitating to share them with his signature wit and charm.

In 2002, Joe retired after being diagnosed with Primary-Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (MS), but the disease never defined him. Instead, he threw himself into advocacy, working with the St. Louis Gateway Chapter of the National MS Society. Whether facilitating men’s groups, staffing the help desk, or tackling a 50-mile fundraising walk, Joe faced every challenge with humor and resilience.

Joe was unapologetically himself—bold, humorous, and always a little rebellious. He enjoyed getting piercings and tattoos, as well as dying his hair, exemplifying one of his favorite mantras: “Let your freak flag fly.” He never met a stranger, and if you had a story to tell, he wanted to hear it.

Joe is survived by his mother, Phyllis of Spring Hill; his wife, Becky Salacki, of Spring Hill; his son, Joseph (Jamie) Stanley Salacki III of Madison, WI; and his stepdaughters, Kimberly Cherry of Nashville, NC, and Stefanie White of Ocala, FL. He also leaves behind five grandchildren: Bailey, Carter, Dakota, Alena, and Claire, who will always remember their Grandpa Joe’s mischievous grin and legendary tales. He was preceded in death by his father.

In lieu of flowers, Joe would probably tell you to crank up your favorite album, have a good laugh, and live life on your own terms. But if you’d like to honor his memory, please consider a donation to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

As Joe often said, “It is what it is...it becomes what I make of it.”

The care of Mr. Joseph “Joe” Stanley Salacki II and his family has been entrusted to Spring Hill Memorial. To share words of comfort and condolences, please visit www.springhill-memorial.com.