Senate Resolution No. 3474

BY: Senator KENNEDY

MOURNING the death of Salvatore Pacella,
hardworking farmer, brave soldier, and devoted
member of his community

WHEREAS, It is with great sorrow and deep regret that this
Legislative Body records the passing of Salvatore Pacella, noting the
significance of his purposeful life and accomplishments; and

WHEREAS, Salvatore Pacella of Buffalo, New York, died at his home on
Sunday, January 7, 2018, at the age of 101; and

WHEREAS, Salvatore Pacella was born on January 16, 1916, in
Pacentro, Italy; one of six children, he left school early to support
his large family; and

WHEREAS, In December of 1937, Salvatore Pacella married the love of
his life, the former Fiorina Lepore; as a young adult, he worked as a
farm laborer; and

WHEREAS, Salvatore Pacella was drafted into the Royal Italian Army,
where he held the position of clerk with the 11th Infantry Regiment; in
September of 1939, he was called back into the Army for World War II,
where he served for almost four years on the Greek and Albanian front;
and

WHEREAS, After Italy agreed to an armistice with the Allies in 1943,
Salvatore Pacella's Army unit was sent to a concentration camp in
Bislich, Germany by German troops; during this time, he was hospitalized
due to the brutal conditions he was subjected to in the camp; and

WHEREAS, After his recovery, Salvatore Pacella was assigned to a
dairy farm where he proved to be a dedicated and diligent worker; after
being liberated at the end of the Great War, he served with the Allied
forces for a few months before hitchhiking home, where he met his son
for the first time; and

WHEREAS, Salvatore Pacella and his family and friends soon left
Italy, and traveled to Caracas, Venezuela, to find work at a Texaco oil
refinery; while working three jobs, he met the CEO of Texaco who was so
impressed with Salvatore's work integrity and work ethic that he
assisted with the expedition of his immigration application; and

WHEREAS, In 1953, the Pacellas moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, and
by May of 1954, the family had found their forever home in Buffalo; and

WHEREAS, For 28 years, Salvatore Pacella worked in the coke ovens at
Hanna Furnace; throughout his tenure, he never took one sick day; and

WHEREAS, Always looking for opportunities to help his family,
Salvatore Pacella worked three other part-time jobs including truck
driver for Columbia Imported Foods Market, and cement mason and
landscaper for both Lexington Homes and the Greek Lake Development in
Orchard Park, New York; and


WHEREAS, In his much deserved retirement, Salvatore Pacella enjoyed
spending time with his family and tended to his garden in South Buffalo;
he also cared for his beloved wife until she passed away in June of
2017; and

WHEREAS, Predeceased by his wife, Fiorina, Salvatore Pacella is
survived by his four sons, Eusobio Pacella, Mario Pacella, Daniel
Pacella, and Frank Pacella; one daughter, Nancy Magno; and 11
grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Salvatore Pacella leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Salvatore Pacella, hardworking farmer, brave soldier,
and devoted member of his community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Salvatore Pacella.