Salvatore Cavalieri, 86, of Wethersfield, joined his beloved Anna in eternal rest on Saturday, January 2, 2021. Sal passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family. He was the widower of Anna (Mendicino) Cavalieri, his beloved wife with whom he spent 45 years of marriage.
Salvatore was born in Nicastro, Province of Catanzaro, Italy on October 14, 1934, son of the late Vincenzo and Teresa (Cittadino) Cavalieri. As a young man in Italy, Sal learned his trade of barbering. After immigrating to the United States, he was drafted by the United States Army and served with honor. While serving in the Army, Sal started a business of cutting the hair of his fellow soldiers. Following his service, and being a young entrepreneur, Sal worked as a barber at various shops before opening Modern Barber Shop in Wethersfield. Sal was a barber at Modern Barber Shop for over 55 years. During his time there, he made many lifelong friends and became a familiar face to many in the community. Besides cutting hair, Sal enjoyed learning other trade skills. You could always find Sal tinkering around fixing something or helping his friends and family with a project. Sal had many hobbies, and a joy for life. Sal enjoyed painting, gardening, bowling, and after his retirement developed a love of baking.
Sal’s favorite thing to bake was banana bread. He enjoyed baking and sharing it with friends. He often added a mystery ingredient, which would keep everyone guessing. During the Christmas holiday, Sal was also fond of making Giggiulena (sesame seed candy). He was proud to share his knowledge on how to make this Italian treat, but what he enjoyed the most was sharing the final product with the ones he loved.
Salvatore is survived by his immediate family of his two daughters, Teresa D’Antonio and her husband Vinny of Middletown, Marianne Cavalieri-Gauthier and her husband Bob of Wethersfield; and two cherished grandchildren, Paul D’Antonio and Micaela D’Antonio, both of Middletown; his niece Maria Tyler, who he raised like a daughter, and her husband Vern of Lebanon. He is also survived by two sisters, Vincenzina Sacco and Rosa Balbo, both of Hartford; two brothers, Umberto and his wife Mary of New York; Franco and his wife Irena of Italy; many nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends.
Besides his wife Anna, he was predeceased by two brothers, Anthony and his wife Saverina of Italy, Pasquale and his wife Lina of Australia; a sister, Angelina Natrella and her husband Pasquale of Italy; and two brothers-in-law, Rosario Sacco and Italo Balbo, both of Hartford.
Sal’s family would like to extend special thanks to the staff of Hartford Healthcare’s H.O.P.E. and Certified Home Health Programs and to our private caregivers for their wonderful care, compassion, kindness, and support of Sal and his family.
Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, and for everyone’s safety, a drive-through visitation will take place on Sunday, January 10, 2021 from 12-2 p.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield. Everyone will be asked to remain in their vehicles at all times while greeting family and paying their respects. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated privately. A private burial with military honors will take place at West Meadow Cemetery, Newington.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Salvatore’s memory can be mailed to American Cancer Society at 111 Founders Plaza, 2nd Floor, East Hartford, CT 06108 or online at www.cancer.org/donate; or to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association, P.O. Box 61420, Staten Island, NY 10306 - online at www.apdaparkinson.org/donate.
For online expressions of sympathy, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com
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