Fred Salatino

Salatino, Fred
8/22/16-6/8/07
Food Services Entrepreneur Served the South Bay for more than 40 Years
Fred Thomas Salatino, 90, a local business entrepreneur for more than 40 years operated food businesses throughout the South Bay, passed away on June 8, 2007 in Redondo Beach. Fred was born in Pueblo, Colorado August 22, 1916 of Italian immigrants. The family operated a wholesale produce route in central Los Angeles surviving the depression by selling produce in buckets. As World War II broke out, Fred enlisted into the army, quickly marrying his wife, Loma RoseShaw Salatino, in San Antonio, Texas before leaving for war. Fred fought in the Battle of the Bulge, the Invasion of Normandy and earned the rank of Sergeant with the 51 Combat Entineers. According to Fred the war ended for him on a happy day. "One day we were building a bridge and we were sleeping in this farm building. Someone yelled that the Germans were coming. I looked up the hill, Falstaff Gap. Tons of Germans were everywhere...like ants. We set up our machine guns. I knew we didn't have a chance. But one of the Germans had a handkerchief at the end of his gun, he was waving it at us, the war was over." Upon his return from the War, Fred delivered mail for the US Postal service until he opened his first produce business in the DiSimone market in Redondo Beach from 1949 until 1964. Fred and his lifetime business partner, Loma, opened the Oceanaquarium, a "mini-Marine Land," on the strand in Hermosa Beach. By 1970, Fred bought the first Taco Tio in Redondo Beach and the Malaga Cove Bakery & Caterers by mid 1970. Fred continued catering after his retirement in 1977 hosting the first Long Beach Grand Prix, the Los Angeles Rams, and Todd Shipyards. Fred served as President of the Redondo Beach Optimists Club, remained an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ Later Day Saints, and gave generously to his family and grandchildren. While business was his livelihood, his family was his passion. Fred was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Loma Rose Shaw Salatino. Fred's heart was broken at the loss of his beloved wife and within 90 days of his wife's passing, he followed. Fred is survived by 3 children, Loma Joy Alcala of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Louis Salatino of Auburn, California and Mary Ochi of Palos Verdes Estates; two sisters, Dorothy Agnifili and Thelma Sewell; 9 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren. Funeral Services will be Saturday June 16, 2007 at 1:00 PM at The Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints Knob Hill in Redondo Beach. Interment at Green Hills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Loma Rose Shaw Salatino Scholarship Fund to Point Vincente NSDAR by mail to: Paula Hawkins, Treasurer, 26140 Birchfield Avenue, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90265. Please sign the guest book at www.dailybreeze.com/obits.