Mr. Carmen J. Salvatore, Sr.

N. UTICA – Mr. Carmen J. Salvatore, Sr., age 85, passed away on Monday, February 17, 2025. Born in Utica on October 2, 1939, Carmen was the son of the late Carmen P. “Carl” and Jennie (Minuti) Salvatore. He was a proud graduate of T.R. Proctor High School/Class of 1958, and furthered his education at Mohawk Valley Technical Institute, focusing on electronics. On August 5, 1961, he joined in matrimony with the former Carol Ambrose. Love, patience, and family were the cornerstones and blessings of their marriage for over 63 years. For over 15 years, both Carmen and Carol were the proprietors of Cara~Sal Ceramics in West Utica. The duo made a wonderful team and forged many friendships through their ownership of the store. In 1958, Carmen worked as a baseball glove assembler at Kennedy Sports. In 1959 he embarked on a successful career as an electronics technician at General Electric/Lockheed Martin retiring after 37 years. He then served as a maintenance technician at Buck Apartments from 1996-2001, and at Temple Emanu-El and Temple Beth El from 2001-2010. An avid audiophile, Carmen’s love of music began early in life. As a teenager, he built his own speakers and tube amplifier, paying particular attention to attaining the highest fidelity. He enjoyed sharing his vast knowledge and love of music with family and friends. Carmen was a true craftsman, and he could often be found in his woodworking shop, creating gifts for family members and special friends. He had such talent that he sold many of his unique items at local craft shows. Blessed with a green thumb, he also took great pride in vegetable and rose gardening. He would often generously share the heirloom garlic seeds his grandfather had brought over from Italy. He was an unwavering fan of the New York Yankees and New York Giants, never hesitating to second-guess the decisions made by coaches and managers. Some of Carmen’s fondest memories were created during family summer camping trips, where evenings around the fires were made complete with his excellent mix tapes. Perhaps most of all, Carmen will be remembered for his willingness to help anyone who asked. Carmen is survived by his beloved wife, Carol; sons and daughters-in-law, Carmen J. Jr. and Denise Salvatore, David M. and Sheila Salvatore, and Andrew J. and Karla Salvatore; grandchildren, Brittany R. Salvatore-Faram and her husband Bill Faram; Nicholas P. Salvatore, Mia P. Salvatore; Jenna Salvatore, and Kayla Salvatore. He treasured the memory of his grandson, Trevor Alexander “Bobby” Salvatore, who passed away on July 22, 2003. His loss is also felt by his brother, Michael L. Salvatore (the late Laura (Brucker) Salvatore); sister and brother-in-law, Regina and Stephen Synakowski; sister-in-law Josephine Ambrose (the late Rocco Ambrose); many nieces, nephews, cousins, and their families and his beloved canine companion, Pepper. He was additionally predeceased by his father and mother, Carmen P. “Carl” and Jennie (Minuti) Salvatore; father-in-law and mother-in-law, James and Rachel (Maida) Ambrose; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Janet and Don Almond, James and Patricia Ambrose, and Barbara and Albert Bilodeau. The Salvatore family would like to extend a special thank you to Betty and Joe Antonelli, for all the special memories and great times shared together. A heartfelt thanks as well to Christina Ambrose and her sons, Nick and Sam, for always supplying Carmen with his dialysis candy, and for making him feel so special. Sincere appreciation is extended to the doctors, nurses, and staff of the MVHS Dialysis Center-Faxton Campus for all their care and concern for Carmen. A Graveside Service will be conducted on Friday, May 30, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 2515 Church Rd., Clayville, NY. Memorial contributions in Carmen’s honor may be made to Upstate Caring Partners, formerly Upstate Cerebral Palsy, in honor of Trevor’s Trike Trail online at https://www.upstatecp.org; and Anita’s Stevens Swan Humane Society online at www.anitas-sshs.org.donate.

Mr. Carmen J. Salvatore, Sr.

October 2, 1939 - February 17, 2025