Alfonso Joseph Salerno

On Sunday November 23rd the Salerno family lost a father, son, brother, husband, grandfather and uncle. His journey in life started in Italy in 1955 then moved to New York when Al was 5. His love of driving and adventure brought him cross country to California in his early 20s, not once but numerous times. Al finally settled in Sacramento where he and his wife Dee started a family. Two boys later they packed up and moved to Placerville in 1988. Not only did he soon acquire another son, but lots of lifelong friends as well. His many jobs (Montgomery Wards, Sears, Amway, Avon, Bowman's Appliance, Steve's Appliance) took him out on the road, which he loved. He was a walking Thomas Brother's Map Book. His career as a machinist with Ruxco Engineering took him inside for a change but his love of the outdoors remained. He was happiest when sitting by a lake with family and friends, fishing with his homemade lures. His sons Michael, Anthony, and Nicholas, and his grandsons Luca and Dominic, were his pride and joy. Whether he was cheering at their games (baseball, basketball, soccer), talking with them by a campfire, carving pumpkins with them, or refereeing whose turn it was to use the saw to cut down the Christmas tree, he loved being with them. Also so very close to his heart was his mom Emilia and sister Rose. Seeing them on almost a daily basis gave him a sense of family that few have. Al also loved and leaves behind two nephews, Kyle and Zack, and a niece Katie.

Al's passing has left a huge hole in many hearts and a great sadness for anyone who knew him. His big smile and love of friends and family are what we will keep with us moving forward. Whether we called him Al, Big Al, Dad or Cheech (grandpa and uncle) we all cherish the too-short time we had with him and will miss him greatly.

A memorial service will be held Saturday December 6, 2014, at 11:00 am, with reception immediately following, at Chapel of the Pines Funeral Home, 2855 Cold Springs Rd., Placerville, CA. All are invited to attend. Online condolences may be posted at chapelofthepinesfunerals.com