Salvatore Louis "Flash" Faraci

1928 - 2010

Salvatore Louis (Flash) Faraci, 82, husband of 52 years to Sandra Lynn Horan of, Middletown passed away on Nov. 9, 2010, at Middlesex Hospital.
He was born in Middletown to the late Nicolo and Concettina (Misenti) Faraci and was the youngest of seven children.
He is survived by wife Sandra of Middletown, a son Gary and daughter Rochelle also of Middletown and three beloved grandchildren Dylan Louis Faraci, Christina Faraci, and Gabriel Louis Villalba. He is predeceased by two brothers Peter and Louis Faraci and four sisters Nazzerena Bellobuono, Helen Gerreck, Mary McDonald and Sara Fairchild. He was a member of St. Sebastian Church and a lifetime member of the Italian Society of Middletown, Italian American Civic Order and the Elk's.

As a youth, he attended local schools in the old city school district. It was apparent to all who came in contact with him that he was destined to succeed in whatever field he would choose as a career. When Sal entered Middletown High school in 1944, he quickly established himself as an athlete of great talent, lettering in both football and track as a freshman, a rare achievement. Sal received the nickname "Flash" at this time because of his swiftness of foot he was one of the fastest runners in both football and track, in the history of Middletown High school. He is still affectionately known as "Flash" to this day. He was a stand out backfield man on the football team and a record setter on the track team. In football, Flash, first backfield player to complete four years on the starting line up by playing offense and defense in every game. He was the high scorer in the CCIL, in track and field. Flash distinguished himself in the 100 and the 200 yard dashes and participated in throwing the javelin, broad jump, and relay team events. His greatest accomplishments came to him during the 1948 University of Connecticut relays, which were held each year at Storrs, CT. He set a new school and state class B record by throwing the javelin 175 feet. He won the 100 yard dash and was named state class B champion. He was a member of MHS 440 and 880 yard relay teams and in both races they set new state records. Flash was named to represent the state of Connecticut at the New England state track and field meet. By the time he graduated in 1948 from Middletown High school, he had acuminated a total of 10 gold, 4 silver, and 7 bronze medals, along with numerous first, second and third place ribbons. Flash was a member of the 1945 MHS football team that went to Jacksonville, FL. He was inducted into the Middletown Sports Hall of Fame in 1996. After leaving Middletown High school he attended Santa Rosa Junior college in California where he lettered in football and track for 2 years. He graduated from Santa Rosa in 1950 with an Associates degree and eventually earned himself a membership into the Santa Rosa Sports Hall of Fame, in 1999.

Upon graduating from Santa Rosa, Sal enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged. When returning to civilian life, he began to earn his living in construction as a carpenter. His urge to work in the field of law enforcement led him to become a supernumerary police officer in 1959 and a regular in 1960. Never one to sit still, he took a course in fingerprint identification as a means to improve his background. Shortly thereafter, he became a steady rise through the ranks, starting as a Detective Sergeant in 1970, then Detective Lieutenant and commanding office of the Bureau in 1972. It was at this time that his experience in construction became apparent as he designed the Detective Bureau and later the firing range, which is still in use today. Lieutenant Faraci was responsible for the first complete identification section in the department, and was the first Middletown officer whose testimony of fingerprint identification was accepted in court as an expert. He was promoted to Captain in 1975 and attended the FBI advanced finger print course in 1984. Captain Faraci spent the last portion of his service in the department as co-director of the accreditation project before returning to command of the Detective Bureau. His 32 year service to the Citizens of Middletown and the department has for been a service of pride.

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Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday Nov. 13th at 10am at Saint Sebastian Church, burial with Military Honors, will be at Saint Sebastian Cemetery, Middlefield. Relatives and friends may call at the D'angelo funeral home on 22 South Main St. Friday Nov.12th from 3to7 PM. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to the Saint Sebastian Church Renovation Fund.