FARMINGTON – Salvatore G. (Sam) Yacono, 91, of Farmington, Maine, formerly of Rochester, N.Y., died in the early hours of Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, 2015.
He was born on Jan. 2, 1924, in Rochester, N.Y. He received his education in Rochester schools and earned his bachelor’s and two master’s degrees from SUNY, Bridgeport; in elementary and special education and educational administration.
He was a WWII veteran, having served in the European Theatre, stationed in Italy and in France. He married Carmel M. Meli, his childhood sweetheart, on Sept. 21, 1946. She predeceased him in December, 1995.
He was a devoted educator in New York, working in the Rochester City School District as a special education teacher and coordinator. He also taught English as a second language and driver’s education. In retirement, he continued to teach driver’s ed and was curriculum coordinator at Our Lady of Mercy High School.
He was a communicant of Holy Name of Jesus Parish and a member of the Knights of Columbus in Rochester, N.Y.
Sam was described as a “Jack-of-all-trades; and master, as well.” A stranger was simply a friend he had yet to meet. He was always “present” for those in need.
He spent many happy years with his dear friend and life partner, Gisele Beaulieu, in Spruce Creek, Florida and, for the past five years, in Farmington, Maine.
He is loved by his life partner, Gisele Beaulieu; his children: Thomas Yacono (Lisa) of Silverthorne, Colo.; Carol Yacono-Harrison of Rochester, N.Y.; Cynthia Kline (Raymond) of Sturgis, Michigan, and Celeste Sharpe (Thomas) of Larchmont, N.Y.; 12 grandchildren; 5 great- grandchildren; his sister, Ann Catanese of Kansas and brother, Angelo “Jr” Yacono (Linda) of El Paso, Texas.
He is predeceased by two sons: Kenneth Yacono (February 1984) and Samuel Yacono (August, 1998), and siblings: Lucy Catanese, Joseph Yacono, Connie DeFiore, Mary Barbato, and Lewis Yacono.
Family and friends are invited to call at the Bartolomeo and Perotto Funeral Home, 1411 Vintage Lane Rochester, N.Y., on Friday, Dec. 4, 2-4 p.m., 6-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Monica’s Roman Catholic Church, 831 Genesee St, Rochester, on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 10 a.m. Burial will be at the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Rochester, N.Y. A comfort reception will follow after burial.
Remembrance gifts may be given in Sam’s memory to the American Heart Association. Tributes and condolences may be shared on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com and on www.bartolomeo.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Wiles Remembrance Center, Farmington, ME, and the Barolomeo and Perotto Funeral Home, Rochester, N.Y.
For all Family and friends of Sam, Sorry to hear of his passing into the Eternal life. May he continue his work there as well as he did here. Thinking of you all at this time. A Friend, Wendy Lovejoy-CNA @Edgewood Rehab and Living Center
My condolences