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Salvatore Papasso
Salvatore Papasso
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Salvatore Papasso Obituary
Think tax investigator, and if you do not envision a man who relishes birthdays and spaghetti with the zeal of a child, perhaps you did not know Salvatore T. Papasso.
Mr. Papasso worked as a special investigator for the revenue crimes bureau of the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, on the 86th floor of 2 World Trade Center.
He liked bringing white-collar criminals to justice, but he also drew pleasure from simpler things. Take the Lego pirate-ship set he received as a gift after complaining, in his late 20's, that people no longer gave him toys. "He actually put it together," marveled Vincent Papasso, one of his brothers (and the bearer of the gift).
Mr. Papasso, 34, and his wife, Christine, celebrated one another's birthdays for an entire month, with multiple cakes and dinners out. They married on May 12, 2000, then marked their union on the 12th of each month, sometimes nudging one another awake after midnight to be the first to wish a happy anniversary. "He celebrated life," Mrs. Papasso said. "My outlook on everything changed with him."
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
S.J. Friscia III
September 30, 2016
In Memory with
Honor & Respect.
Brad Westmoreland
September 11, 2013
I am a police officer in San Antonio, TX. To honor the fallen, I climbed the Tower of the Americas twice, to finish the climb that so many could not. Every officer and firefighter carried a name of a hero. I was fortunate enough to be honored to carry your name.
Tom M
September 7, 2013
You're still in my thoughts every day, Sal...a true American Hero. God Bless.
ally knipp
September 11, 2012
Dear Sal,
We never got to meet but I am close to your niece and nephew, they are growing up so fast and you would be soo proud of them. I know your family misses you greatly and Chris misses you oh sooooooo much just from stories I have heard from your family makes me feel like I have known you. may you always watch over your family and remain with them always. Rest In Piece Salvatore Papasso. you may be gone but you willl NEVER EVER be forgotten! May your soul find peace and joy and may you always know that you are loved by so many
Ally knipp
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Tom M
November 29, 2011
Dear Salvatore,
I am a 25 year police veteran in the Chicago area. On the 10th anniversary of 9/11, I vowed to learn about one of the fallen 72, and keep him especially in my heart every day. You are the hero I chose, and I wanted to let your family and friends know that not a day goes by now where I don't say a prayer for you. God Bless, and may he keep you close.
Brittney Cofresi
May 5, 2011
Dear Uncle Sal,
Even though i didnt get the chance to meet you that much since 1 years old....I am sure you were a great man..who always helped others before your-self...i realy wish i got to know you more. I remember the day we went to a arcade and there was a ball pit and me, you, Brendan, and aunt christine jumped in and you held me up because i was to short for the ball pit..:) All i have to say is thanks for everything you have done for me....I am 12 now and miss u more and more everyday...until we meet again.. talk to you later...
from, Brittney aka Gushy Girl (Thats What I Was Told You Called me):)
Stephen & Tara Papasso
September 11, 2009
Dear Papasso Family,We wanted to let you know on the 8th annv. Your family is in our prayers and that we will never forget.
Anthony Piazza
September 11, 2008
Sal,
I look back on the years after 2001. I think about the days you and I were in the academy together. I think about the day we became partners. I think about all those times we spent in the car on surveillance or in the precincts processing an arrest. I spent more time with you then I did with Lisa. I remember going with you to pick out Christine’s ring you had what a smile on your face, you were so excited. I remember when we had to buy and mail you mother all her Birthday cards because you knew it would make her feel special. And you lived in the same house. I learned a lot from you buddy. I wish every day that I could pick up the phone and call you for some advice or to just say hello. You were always there for me and everyone around you. You always felt like it was your responsibility to do the right thing and you did. When we were both promoted I remember spending our last day together. We both looked at each other and I turned to you and said “I just wanted to tell you”. You stopped me and you said “I know”. I never finished. I want to finish now. Sal I want you to know I never have or never will work with a partner as great as you. I could always count on you in the worst of situations. I never felt alone and I always felt like I had someone to trust. You were like my brother and I will honor you until the day I die. I promise I will always be there for your family as you were. I know how much they mean to you. I miss you
Ben Castro
September 11, 2007
God bless. My prays and thoughts are with the family.
Christine Papasso
September 8, 2007
Sal, you are a true hero; how many people have lived because of you, we will never truly know. You were always my hero and angel, and on Sept. 11, you became the hero and angel of a nation.
I love and miss you more each day. Your spirit shines through me and I hold your soul within my heart. You are a man who touched many lives and I will not let your memory and outlook on life fade.
On our wedding day we promised to love and honor each other all the days of our lives and I will keep that promise. I was fortunate to have your love and to share every moment that I did with you. Those memories are what I will keep with me always.
The way you proposed to me
The way you always helped others selflessly
The way only you could love me
The way you lived and, yes, the way you died
Love never ends, it just grows. Our love has grown and crossed lifetime together for you are my soul mate. I know I will see you again my love. Until then, smooches. Love, Christine
Our Engagemenet
September 8, 2007
May 12 2000
September 8, 2007
suzanne papasso
June 9, 2007
to uncle sal and aunt terry, we hope all is well, we love you and we hope to see you soon.love, frank papasso jr. and family .
suzanne papassso
June 9, 2007
hi christine, we want to let you know that you are always in our prayers. love you forever, frank papasso jr. suzanne papasso steph liz papasso.
P Tabbernor
January 25, 2007
In memory....
Jodi Buchrieser
December 30, 2006
Sal and I were friends when we were teenagers hanging out at the P.S.60 schoolyard. I will never forget him. He always made me laugh. We had a lot of good times together.
God bless you, Sal. Love Jodi
Kristine
November 29, 2006
As I cross-stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
Brian, Sal, Jimmy, Vinnie at the Plaza
Brian Hackett
September 9, 2006
My Dear Sal,
I walked by the Plaza yesterday. Not much to look at these days, but it sent me into a whirl wind of memories. The day we first met, running around that place like we owned it, how we grew to become friends. You always made our time together interesting, you were always quite the life of the party. Even after our lives began to take separate paths, you always made the effort to stay in touch. It's been five years since you were taken. I still feel you, hear you, and talk about you as if you're right here. God only knows how many of us you touched and how badly you are still missed. God Bless you my friend.
James
September 7, 2004
God bless you Sal.
Kim and John Zangrillo
December 29, 2002
To Sal's Family: My husband and I both grew up in New Springville and have fond memories of "hanging out" with Sal. He was always such a good guy. We saw the article in the Advance today and were so shocked and saddened. We are very sorry for your loss.
Susan Conklin
September 11, 2002
Christine,
I know we have never met. I am a distant relative of Salvatore's. His mother and my mother are cousins. My Grandfathers name was Enricho Rosa and I believe Sal's Grandmother's name was Regatta. She was my Grandfathers sister.
I only came to know about Sal in his death. I am so sorry for your loss and I wanted to let you know that you are in my prayers and thoughts often. As well as my family's. God be with you in this difficult time.
Christina
September 11, 2002
Dearest Christine & the Papasso family, I am so deeply sorry for your loss. You are a great person Christine and I know Sal was too. You spoke so highly of Sal and I think I only met him one time, probably at an office party. I think of you always and hope everyday you are okay. I may not be good with advice, but i am a good listener. If you ever need an ear or a friend to go out with, you know i'm here.
Love you
Christina
Daniel Papasso
September 9, 2002
My prayers are with you and all the Papasso family.We will never forget. May God Bless America !
Christine Papasso
September 9, 2002
It is with a heavy heart that I sit here and write this letter. September 11, 2001 is a day that has forever changed my life and the lives of so many others. It is a day that will not be forgotten, for the magnitude of loss is immeasurable. We all have been touched so closely and living somewhat in a fog. For me, and I am sure for everyone else the past 12 months have been so overwhelming. Learning to live without Sal was something that I was not prepared to do. We had so many plans and were cheated out of a wonderful life together. So many family and friends I know were giving us space as newlyweds and are now regretting the precious time lost that could have been spent with Sal. I cherish every moment that I had with him and that is what gets me through each day so never even think of that as time wasted, because it was time well spent. We lived, we loved, we laughed. We did not take one moment for granted and that is one of the things that I loved most about Sal, he only needed a moment to truly touch your soul. In my search for a way to have Sal’s legacy live on and to find a tribute that would be fitting to him I thought long and hard. With a lot of hard work and the recruitment of some friends I choose to create a foundation that would encompass all that Sal stood for. The result of that is The Salvatore T. Papasso Guiding Angel Foundation.
www.salpapasso.org
The Salvatore T. Papasso Guiding Angel Foundation will provide opportunities to endless youngsters to follow in Sal’s footsteps. The foundation will give scholarship awards to those choosing Sal’s career path in Law Enforcement and the Business Sector. It will serve as a public safety awareness program to communities and it will give athletic opportunities to children who might not otherwise have had them available.
The effect that Sal had on so many people is an amazing one, as I am sure that you can all attest to. I continue to see this each time that I speak with someone who knew him.
So I take this this opportunity to thank all who have been there for me this past year and to thank everyone for their continued support with The Salvatore T Papasso Guiding Angel Foundation.
WWW.SALPAPASSO.ORG
Aila
September 9, 2002
I visited the Family Viewing Room today with my daughter and I've seen the photos of Salvatore. Every time I visit there I seem to remember all those special faces that are put up by our Loved ones. We've lost our Beloved Andrew Bailey from Tower One. The Papasso Family and Friends are in my prayers. God Bless You.
Thomas Ost-Prisco
September 6, 2002
It is now almost one year since September 11, 2001, and I am just finding out, for the first time, that Sal passed away on that day.
Sal was my very best friend in grammar school. From second to fourth grade (St. John Villa Academy) we were inseparable. After fourth grade I went to another school and to be honest, I cannot remember if we ever saw each other again. But even before 9/11, if someone were to ask me who was my best friend in grammar school, or more specifically, who was my very first friend, I would have answered "Sal Papasso."
My heart goes out to his family. He truly touched many lives.
Joe DeAngelis
June 11, 2002
It's sometime now since 9/11 and I still weap the loss of my childhood friend. Though Im engulfed with sorrow, im starting to remember more and more the happy times I shared with Sal. I hope my tribute will help easy alittle of the pain for Terry, Sal, Vin,Tom & Christine. I miss my friend.
I recall spending plenty of days afterschool playing hockey for the "Freedom Flyers" and Sal insisted on playing goalie, he tried hard to stop whatever we threw at him, and always presented a noble challenge as he was able to make such acrobatic saves, after all he was a wirey kid.
Cheering on the Rangers ,playing little league baseball for brother Vins' Pirates, his toy rabbit BO-BO, and building a world of Lego creations with Tom, Sal knew how to have fun, he even cheered for Sylvester Stallone in a moviehouse when watching ROCKY 2, I guess he was engulfed with all the excitement.
As we got older, we discovered a new world as Sal was the first kid on the block to have a car, the famous Cutluss Supreme and it's fancy pinstriped details made quite a ride for all the neighborhood teenagers. Sal even offered to chauffer me around Staten Island by himself so that I may impress my first date, I was only 15 at the time (this makes me cry when I think of this moment). I think he wanted to make sure we younger kids had a good time safely (it was only Sizzler).
As we grew even older I regret parting ways with my childhood friend, and 9/11 makes me regret it so much more. I hope Sal knows how I truly feel about him and how badly I feel I was no longer involved in his everyday life.
Christine, I hope to God you will find the strength to live life happily forevermore. My prayers are with you.
Family, I think about Sal and all of you everyday, wondering how all of you are getting through this trying time. I know we'll all meet with Sal in the future, and when this day comes, only then all our pain will be gone.
ALL MY LOVE
Joseph DeAngelis
Teresa Viggiani
May 30, 2002
Christine, Joe and I want to let you know we are always there for you and are deeply saddened of your loss. And that is was an honor and a privledge to know Sal and to see what a wonderful person he was to you, your family and your friends.
March 21, 2002
DEAR GOD SHINE YOUR LIGHT ON THIS WONDERFUL MAN...SALVATORE PAPASSO AND MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE WITH GOD AND HIS ANGELS..GOD BLESS HIS WIFE...FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS..STAY CLOSE..PRAY AND NEVER FORGET 9/11/01..GOD BLESS AMERICA AND NEW YORK...MAY JESUS AND HIS SAINTS GREET YOU AT THE GATES OF HEAVEN...AMEN
Heidi (Fagan) Allen
March 14, 2002
Christine, I am a friend of Keriann and Joe Cwiak and also a friend of Amanda Pappasso. I read this tribute to Sal on Monday the 11th, as you were all on my mind. What a beautiful tribute to Sal! I thanked God for the time you and Sal were able to spend together. He seemed to have been a wonderful person!
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Know that there are many who think of you and of course, think of Sal. His memory will live on!
Keriann Cwiak
March 13, 2002
Joe and I were very saddened to hear about Sal. Our thoughts and prayers are with you every day. He was a great guy. Christine, you were lucky to have found each other and even though your time was short, it was a blessing.
Josephine Passaro
March 12, 2002
Sal, I want to thank your family for raising someone who was sweet, kind, caring and true.
Although we only knew each other from UPG, you were the patient that we always looked forward to seeing. The smiles, jokes and laughter were always a pleasure, as you were. We would always make sure to put you on as one of our last patients so it would make the night be a good one. Espeialy when Christine would come in with you we knew that the last hour would be great!
Christine, you are very fortunate to have someone who loved you as Sal did, and he was lucky to have you.
God chose you because he knew that you would make Sal happy, and that you were strong to let him go.
In our hearts always,
Josephine & John
John Danielson
March 11, 2002
Sal and I were fraternity brothers (Alpha Upsilon) at St. John's University and he was a great friend. We nicknamed him "Sal Hanks" because we thought he used to look a bit like Tom Hanks. I haven't seen Sal in many years since moving to California but I know he was still the same witty, funny character while he was in school. We would spend hours in the cafeteria at St. John's playing cards instead of going to class. Christine, I have never met you but you are in my prayers, stay strong!
Debra McKinney
March 11, 2002
My thoughts and prayers are with you today. Debra(from YW).
Lisa DeVincenzo (nee Speirs)
March 8, 2002
You are in my prayers.
Shaun Peens
January 21, 2002
I never met Sal but after reading all the tributes I feel compelled to send my best wishes to his family and friends
God Bless all of us,,,
April Rudloff
January 19, 2002
Christine,
I wanted to extend my heart-filled sorrows to you and say how strong you've been. Even though we're neighbors and haven't spoken since we moved here, I couldn't believe it when I heard that Sal was gone. I had seen him that morning leaving for work and never imagined that was to be the last time. I wanted to say something to you on many occassions, but I just didn't know what to say or do. The one thing I do know, is that life is too short and we have to treasure every moment we have. When we first bought our houses, I was told there was another recently married couple moving in also. I thought there was time to eventually meet! I just want to say that you have shown alot of strength and courage through this difficult time and if you ever need anything, don't hestiate to ask.
April
Ilyssa Esgar-DeCasperis
January 5, 2002
Sal was in my classes at St. John's University. I have wonderful memories of him - always quick-witted - always able to make us laugh. We were a pretty close-knit group back then - of course, as time went on, we all went our separate ways, getting into the workplace, getting married, etc.
I was so saddened to see Sal's name on the list of those lost at the World Trade Center.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family - may God see you through this difficult time in your lives.
My deepest sympathies...
Richard and Dawn Scalise
January 3, 2002
Christine,
Just wanted to let you know that Sal meant alot to Dawn and myself and we are grateful that he was there for us when we needed him. There is not a day that goes by that we do not think of him. He was truly a special person and friend. And in keeping with his spirit I want you to know that Dawn and I will be there for you whenever you need us.
Karen Cofresi
January 1, 2002
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "It's not the length of life, but depth of life."
Salvatore was taken from this life much too soon, yet anyone who met him benefited from knowing him.
Salvatore did not need sixty years on this earth to do his work although it would have been nice to have him here forever.
Salvatore was a friend to all. He always was swift to help someone out whether he knew you or not. He was a gentleman and a scholar. He was trying to make this world a better place for those who would follow after him.
Salvatore had a knack for making people laugh, he was always quick with a joke or anctedote.
He lived with a zest for life, never wasting a moment. In all those moments he loved Christine, his wife with more love than I have ever seen between two people.
He laughed, he lived and he loved.
He was taken from us much too soon. He will be missed now and years from now. He will never be forgotten and will remain in our hearts and prayers till we meet him again.
Helen Plakas
December 31, 2001
I'm one of those who never got a chance to meet Sal, but I'm positive he was an amazing person, after all, he was a Ranger fan!! Christine, we've gotten closer in the past few months, and I've gotta tell ya, I can only dream of having he strength you do. You're always in my thoughts & prayers, not only for the hard time that you're facing, but for the excellence, class and grace you've handled yourself with. Thanks to you and everything you've done & are doing he will ALWAYS AND FOREVER be around,although not physically, in our hearts & thoughts.
Christine Papasso
December 31, 2001
Sal has touched many lives, even many who never got the chance to meet him. Thank you all for being so wonderful during this very difficult time. Just like Sal, your kindness will never be forgotten.
Lisa Crouch
December 28, 2001
Christine you are always in my thoughts and prayers. I pray that you will find the strength to get you through this very difficult time.
Teresa Jahn
December 16, 2001
America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn
Dixon, IL
Cynthia DeRisi
December 5, 2001
As an extended Friend of your Family, through my daughter's in-laws, I want to say "How Very Sorry I am for Your Loss". Meeting Sal on a few occassions, I always found him smiling and comforable with his surroundings. He was very fortunate to have a close Family and wonderful Wife...Memories are one thing noone can take away from you, even though Sal was, so unexpectedly.
Bless you all.
"Smile, Sal is looking down on you".
Cynthia DeRisi and family, Alexandria, Virginia
Joseph Caruso
November 15, 2001
To Sal's wife, Christine and his entire family, our hearts go out to you in this time of your loss.
We think about you and pray for you every day. Please take some comfort in knowing that Sal is in a better place now and is preparing a place for you to join him some day.
Joe & Judy Caruso
Kathy Harryman
September 30, 2001
Not a day passes that my family and I don't think of all the people who have lost loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
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