Nicholas Joseph Salvaggio

Nicholas “Nick” Joseph Salvaggio, 95, Kansas City, MO passed away April 9, 2017. Visitation will be held from 2:00-3:00 p.m. followed by funeral service at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, April 15, at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Rd. Entombment will be in the Faith II Mausoleum at Mt. Moriah Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wayside Waifs, 3901 Martha Truman Rd., Kansas City, MO 64137.

Nick was born February 27, 1922 in Des Moines, IA, son of Joseph and Rose (DeMarco) Salvaggio. He was raised in Kansas City, MO and attended Manual High School. He went to work at the age of 16 for Scott Color Co., an automotive finish and supply company in downtown KC, in what is now The Crossroads district. Nick was a U.S. Army WWII veteran and served proudly in the Philippines and New Guinea. Veterans Day was very important to Nick, as he was one of the few WWII vets remaining. After returning from the war, he married the love of his life Betty Lou Hughes in 1948, after having returned to work for Scott Color. With his drive and work ethic, he became the owner in the late 1950s. He also invested in commercial real estate and owned various properties through the years. Nick was instrumental in developing The Olathe Service Center after retiring in 1985. He always loved cars and collected classic cars throughout his lifetime. This was certainly a passion which he passed on to his son. Nick was an amateur investor, who took a great interest in the financial markets and had an uncanny understanding of business in general and how everything worked.

He also loved his yard on Bannister Rd., peacefully riding his John Deere tractor and cutting his yard in diagonals which no one could do quite like him. Foremost though Nick was a kind and wonderful man who loved his family and helped everyone. As with all great men and women, there is often great sadness at their passing. The great gift of having them in our lives triumphs indefinitely.

He was preceded in death by his one and only love, wife Betty Salvaggio in 2009, brother Sam Salvaggio, and sisters Mary Sherrard and Jenny Greenway. Nick is survived by his son Dr. Bruce H. Salvaggio (Barbara), daughter Lynne Buck (William), grandchildren Scott F. Salvaggio (Ilana), Brooke Salvaggio (Dan Heryer) and Elizabeth Buck; and great-grandchildren Percy J. Heryer and Solomon A. Heryer. He is also survived by his sisters Ann Byrnes, Clara Zans and Sally Meehan, extended family and friends.

The family would like to thank his awesome caregivers: Shirley Davis, Laura Hurb, Damita Dameron, Home Health Care nurse Connie Francis, and the late Ruthie Jackson who enriched his life thereby enabling Nick to stay in his own home until the end. Also many thanks to Dr. Paul G. Diederich for his many years of great care and Dr. Vincent Lem.

Arrangements under the direction of Mt Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.