Joseph Alexander Zelle, age 80, passed away peacefully in his sleep October 12, 2005, with his loving family at his bedside. Born in Bridgeport in 1925, "Joey", as he was known, was a masterful trumpeter and bandleader. A lifelong member of AFM Local 52/626, he was also leader of the Casa Ritz Orchestra, the house band of the Ritz Ballroom in Bridgeport from 1947 until 1962. Joe retired from Perkin-Elmer Corporation, proud of his team's efforts on the Apollo Mission spacecraft and Hubble Space Telescope. But it was during this career that Joe was best remembered for writing, producing and directing the Perkin-Elmer Children's Christmas shows for 25 years. His cast members loved him as much as they loved the popular annual musicals. Joseph was predeceased by his four close brothers, Stephen, John, Alexander and Andrew Zelle. Joe is survived by Marian Krehel Zelle, his beloved wife of 57 years and his unselfish caregiver to the end. Joe will especially miss Marian's delicious home- cooked meals. Survivors include his children, son Joel Zelle and his wife Lynne of West Bloomfield, Michigan, daughters Marilyn J. Williams of Stratford and Laurie Trupp and her husband Paul of Stratford. He'll be greatly missed by 7 grandchildren: Jennifer, Ashley, Greg, Julie, Gareth, Meghan, Alec, and great granddaughter Ava Grace. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Western CT Chapter, 1 Selleck St., Suite 500, Norwalk, CT 06855 or a charity of your choice. Funeral services will take place on Saturday October 15, 2005 at 11:00 am in the Adzima Funeral Home 50 Paradise Green Place Stratford Interment will immediately follow at St. John's Cemetery in Stratford. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 PM Friday.