James Michael Salem

Age 89, of Friendship Village, 1290 Boyce Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241 passed away peacefully in the early morning of May 22, 2025. Jim was born to Charles and Nellie Salem (nee, Hanainy) on August 22, 1935, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. A lifelong educator and advocate for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing children and adults, Jim earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Science Degree in Education of the Deaf from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. Jim began his career at the Western PA School for the Deaf (WPSD) in Edgewood in 1956 working as a Houseparent/Dormitory Counselor while attending Pitt. After graduating from Gallaudet, he taught at WPSD later becoming Dean of Boys, Dean of Students, Principal, and Assistant Superintendent. He was active in extracurricular student life at WPSD as well - coaching basketball and hosting clubs such as Photography, Woodworking and Yearbook. Continually advocating for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students and adults, Jim was a member and chairperson of several statewide committees including the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Advisory Committee; Educational Resources for Children with Hearing Loss in Pennsylvania; and the Pennsylvania Special Education Advisory Committee.
After retirement, Jim was trained as a Special Education Mediator at the Justice Center of Atlanta. For the Pennsylvania Office for Dispute Resolution, Jim then conducted hundreds of Special Education Mediations, Resolution Meetings, and IEP Facilitations. He also worked as a consultant for the Pennsylvania Department of Education to Chair or participate in Special Education Program Audits for Pennsylvania School Districts.
Aside from his parents, Jim is predeceased by his sister, Joanne (Mulligan), brother Charles, sister, Marjorie (Ajay), and his nephew, James Mulligan. He is survived by eight nieces and nephews: Lisa Bernard, Joanne Dane, Victoria Culligan, Thomas Mulligan, Marji Hensel, Janet Salem, Charles Salem and Michael Salem.
Jim lived a full, productive, and happy life; he had a wonderful sense of humor and was fun to be around. He was extremely proud of his family and of his Lebanese heritage. Jim loved sharing good times with his family and good friends whether these were weddings, birthdays, reunions, fishing, golfing, poker, woodworking, watching sports - the Pirates, Steelers, and Penguins or hosting extravagant dinner parties- cooking his Middle Eastern specialties. Jim was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
A Memorial Service in Jim's honor will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the Beinhauer Family Funeral Home, 2828 Washington Road, McMurray, PA 15317. Visitation will be from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. A short service will begin at 3:30.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, 300 East Swissvale Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15218 (https://www.wpsd.org/). To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James, please visit our floral store.