Obituary of Salvatore J. Assenza

Salvatore Assenza age 95, peacefully passed away at his home on 8/4/2024. He was the devoted husband of the late Jacqueline Ferrara Assenza. He was the beloved father of Celeste Assenza Tornello (Joseph), Patricia Assenza Connors (Edward), Michael Assenza (Suzanne), Lawrence Assenza (Loren), David Assenza (Debra). Salvatore was the loving grandfather of 11 grandchildren, Jaclyn Cohen (Dan), Michele Daya (Michael), Michael Assenza (Tara), Christopher Assenza, Alana Tornello, Alyssa Connors, Marisa Tornello, Joseph Assenza, Amanda Assenza, Lucia Assenza and Luke Assenza. He was the dear great grandfather of 9, Giavanna, Mariella, Addison, Antonia, Michael Jr., Anthony, John, Layla and Jolie. He was the cherished brother of the late Mary Re, John Assenza, Rose Uberti, Stella DiMartino, Michelena Dezio and Grace Cali.

Salvatore proudly served his country honorably in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was wounded in battle and was recognized by the VFW for his bravery. Salvatore always said that the Lord our God saved him which gave him a greater purpose for the life he would lead. He always held his Christian faith and values near and dear to his heart. Salvatore became a proud member of the VFW – Allan F. Kivlehan chapter in Staten Island. After returning home from the war he met the love of his life, Jackie, through his younger sister, our mom's best friend Aunt Gracie. Salvatore and Jackie had 5 children that were raised in Meiers Corners. Their five children grew their respective families by giving Salvatore and Jackie 11 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Salvatore loved watching his family grow, always welcoming new-in-laws into the family and was engaging with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was very skilled at building things, such as the family home, decks, sheds and doll houses for his family.

Salvatore became a butcher working at the A& P. He was incredibly kind, even giving advice to families on how best to prepare the meat they just purchased. Salvatore and Jackie were very involved parishioners of St. Rita's Church, always volunteering their time to raise money for the church and school through organized events. Salvatore became an Usher and Eucharistic Minister at St. Rita's and was adopted into the nocturnal adoration Holy Name Society. He also enjoyed swimming in his backyard as well summer vacations to the Jersey Shore and Virginia Beach where he'd swim endlessly in the ocean. Salvatore loved crabbing and enjoyed teaching the proper technique for scooping up multiple monster blue claw crabs, AKA "Jersey Blue".

Salvatore had many hobbies and interests, growing up he loved music and taught himself to play the harmonica, and he loved playing baseball. Some of his favorite musicians were Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Jimmy Roselli and the Glenn Miller Band. As he got older, he enjoyed country music, specifically John Denver and Willie Nelson. Salvatore played baseball on the South Beach Swans on Staten Island in the late 1940's managed by the late Borough President Al Maniscalco.

Salvatore was a pillar of strength and resilience, embodying tremendous character and unwavering values. His life was a testament to the power of love, compassion, and selflessness, serving as a guiding light and source of inspiration to all who were fortunate enough to know him. In every act of kindness, in every moment of love shared, Salvatore's spirit will continue to live on, a timeless legacy of courage, kindness, and unwavering devotion. Though he may have bid us farewell, his memory will forever remain etched in the hearts of those who were blessed to call him Father, Brother, Grandfather, Great Grandfather and Friend.

Funeral from the Matthew Funeral Home Inc., 2508 Victory Blvd. on Friday, 8/9/2024, departing at 9:15 AM. Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Rita's R.C. Church at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in Moravian Cemetery. Family and friends may visit on Thursday, 8/8/2024, from 4:00 to 9:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Meals on Wheels of Staten Island, 304 Port Richmond Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10302 in Salvatore's memory.