James Salerno

Deepest condolences on Jim's passing, he will be missed and always remembered fondly by myself and many of our colleagues here at SFPUC. When someone shares so much knowledge and kindness they are never forgotten by those lives they touched. Early on in my career I was lucky enough to be placed in the lab and work with Jim. He was a great mentor and teacher and much of what I learned in those early days about the big picture and the tiniest of creatures that share the secrets of water quality I learned from him. He was a wonderful teacher that truly cared about his work and shared that with any in need of knowledge and guidance. The news of his passing leaves many hearts heavy. Please know that you, his family and his friends mourning his loss are in our prayers and that we hope that your memories of him bring some comfort, his life was one well lived and his legacy lives on in all those lives he touched.
Sincerest Condolences, Bernadette, Chuck & Family

Jim Salerno was my supervisor and Mentor at Ecological Analysts in the early days of their move to California. When I was just 19 yrs old Jim was my boss, but also my friend that that helped me grow into an adult and I will always consider him my big brother. Jim's low key personality and infectious laughter made everyone around him feel better during their day and always looking forward to seeing him next. My last experience with Jim was just a few short years ago backpacking with our friends in the Sierras which of course, he loved. We put out a small tree fire left abandoned, climbed up an uncharted cliff trail, fly fished on a pristine lake, and swam in our base came lake. That was heaven to me and Jim as well. Rest in peace my brother for life....

Dear Karen, and Jim's Large and Loving Family,
I'm so sorry for your incredible loss. Jim was passionate about family, good food and drink, quality living, travel, and most of all Karen. I feel blessed to have spent great times with Jim back in the Water Quality days. He was an empathetic and wise mentor to all his colleagues, and his relationships meant more to him than the work (which he also excelled at). Jim was a great leader who people enjoyed learning from. His calming demeanor, twinkling eyes and wry sense of humor could turn any situation into a tolerable or even hilarious one. We had fun discovering that we both had family in Medford Lakes, NJ. Small world. I am so grateful for the positive influence Jim had on so many people. I'm also grateful for every glass of wine I shared with him; I only wish we had shared more. Karen, I wish you solace and eventually joy through the memories of your partner, love and best friend. May you find some of Jim in every fish, waterway, glass of Cab, bike ride, and Salerno in your future. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you recover in the days ahead. Thank you for taking such great care of your friend and mentor to so many!! -Katie

My sincere condolencesRudy

I knew James from Toastmasters. One time he took me with him in the EastBay to show me some steelhead habitat he was helping to preserve. It was an awesome stream in an old growth sycamore forest. Great guy, great sense of humor, so much knowledge. My condolences. Rest In Peace Jim

Dear Karen and Family,
I received word of Jim's passing from my friend colleague Mary Alice Koeneke and am so sorry to hear of your loss. Jim was part of our research team at EA and one of my favorite project managers. He was the kindest and most caring managers in my group, a great scientist and just a good person. He made us all better people and researchers.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dan

So sorry to hear about his passing. I worked with Jim in CA in 1978-1981. I well remember his infectious laugh and his quiet demeanor...

Jim was such a great boss with our group at Water Quality. What a good guy. It was so neat to share a glass of vino with Jim at the Monte Cristo Club in San Francisco. "Per semipro amici"