Salvatore J. Lucenti

MONTPELIER - Salvatore Joseph Lucenti, 95, of Greenfield Terrace, died on Saturday, April 4, 2015, at his home surrounded by his wife of 72 years and his loving family.

Sal was born in New York City, the son of Emanuele and Carmela (Montes) Lucenti. As an infant, his family returned to their homeland in Ragusa, Sicily. They immigrated back to New York City when Sal was 12 years old. He attended New York City public schools and graduated from the Manhattan School of Aeronautics in 1939.

Sal enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps in 1939, where he served as an airplane mechanic and radar technician. He was stationed in Italy during World War II and in Okinawa during the Korean War and honorably discharged in 1960. After his military career, he worked for the Federal Aviation Administration as an air traffic controller at the Barre-Montpelier airport and retired in 1987.

Sal and family lived in Barre, Vermont, for many years. He was an active member of St. Monica Church. He later moved the family home to New Discovery Road in Marshfield. There, he found the "living in the country lifestyle" he desired. Upon his retirement he moved to Montpelier. There, he spent many hours working away in his yard. A great pleasure to Sal was meeting his neighbors and making friends in each community he called home.

To Sal there was great joy in spending time with his family, and he especially enjoyed summer gatherings at his camp "Kil Kare" on Joe's Pond.

He always took time and care to support his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was pleased with the results of his efforts to strongly promote the reconnection of his immediate family with his extended family in Sicily.

Sal was a loving husband and a good father. He always promoted the bonds that connected his family. His willingness to lend a helping hand to those in need was most exemplary.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret (Foye) Lucenti, of Montpelier; sons and daughters Eileen Blake and her husband, Paul, of Waterbury Center, Vermont, Martin and his wife, Candy, of Ipswich, Massachusetts, Robert and his wife, Laine, of Berlin, Vermont, Marianne McNamara and her husband, Robert, of South Burlington, and James, of Montpelier, Vermont; sister Carmela Bauco and her husband, Jerry, of Wappingers Falls, New York; 10 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his grandson Damien Lucenti and his brother, James Lucenti.

Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2015, at the Guare & Sons Funeral Home. A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, April 11, at noon at St. Augustine Church in Montpelier.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions may be made in his memory to Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre, VT 05641.

Those wishing to express online condolences may do so at www.guareandsons.com.