Senate Resolution No. 632

BY: Senator GRIFFO

CONGRATULATING Salvatore Grieco upon the occasion
of celebrating his 100th Birthday

WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge
to the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their
past contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and
valuable asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and

WHEREAS, This exceptional centenarian, with his zest for life, has
inspired and enhanced the lives of his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Born at his family's home in Rome, New York, on March 1,
1919, Salvatore "Sam" Grieco graduated from Rome Free Academy in 1937;
and

WHEREAS, As a child, Salvatore Grieco tried to keep himself out of
trouble by selling newspapers; one of his customers, who owned a taxi
business, hired young Sam to answer telephones, paying him three dollars
a week which he gave to his mother; in return, she would give him a
quarter to keep; and

WHEREAS, Growing up in Rome, Salvatore Grieco remembers when Black
River Boulevard was Black River Canal and when the trolley cars traveled
along Dominick Street and up Floyd Avenue; he also recalls when downtown
Rome was filled with businesses such as Nelson's, Woolworth's, Kresge's,
Carl's Drug Store and The Strand Theater; and

WHEREAS, Salvatore Grieco and the former Hazel Jones were united in
marriage in 1939, and together they raised four children; the couple
spent 69 wonderful years together until Hazel's death in 2008; and

WHEREAS, This extraordinary man started the Liberty Street Market in
the early 1940s, in a home he purchased near the corner of North Madison
and West Liberty streets; after World War II he went to work at General
Cable, where business was booming; and

WHEREAS, Salvatore Grieco spent 28 years working for Loblaw's
grocery store in Rome, Elmira and Whitesboro, retiring in 1975, at the
age of 56, due to the stress of the job; he went on to work in the
financial department at Vernon Downs for 22 years before retiring for
good; and

WHEREAS, Today, Salvatore Grieco is the proud father of four
children, Lorraine, Thomas, Barbara and Diane, and the loving
grandfather of 13 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and four
great-great grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, This beloved man has enriched the lives of those around him
through his joyous and sincere love for others and through the quiescent
charm and wisdom which comes only from a fullness of years; and

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly
recognize those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have

witnessed and celebrated the innovations, cultural developments and
awesome achievements of this country during the last century, while
themselves contributing to the growth and excellence of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Salvatore Grieco upon the occasion of celebrating his 100th
Birthday; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Salvatore Grieco.