John Joseph Saladino

On May 2, after a long decline, John surrendered himself into the hands of his loving Father. He was known by all as a kind, grateful and gentle man who enjoyed a simple lifestyle without fanfare.
John is survived by his wife of 70 years (Mary), sister (Jean Fonseca), children (Joanne, Susan, John, Mary Ann), grandchildren (Erica, Greg, Natalie, Jenna) and great grandson (Callen). He is predeceased by his parents (Charles and Pierina) and his daughter in law (Susan M. Saladino).
John was born in Brooklyn and grew up in Middle Village, Queens surrounded by a loving extended Italian family. He excelled in school and went on to attend City College of NY where he earned a Bachelor's in Civil Engineering. John had a love for the game of baseball. He played for both CCNY and Fresh Pond in his youth and of course was an avid Yankees fan.
During college John met Mary Gavin of Yonkers, NY on a blind date. They fell in love and were married after John graduated. Mary accompanied him into his two years of post war/peacetime military service in West Germany where their first child (Joanne) was born. While there, John served as a civil engineer and surveyor in the US Army Field Artillery Unit.
Returning to the states after two years of obligatory service, John took a job as a Highway Engineer at NYS Deptartment of Transportation where his first big project was building the LIE. At the same time he earned his masters in Civil Engineering at nights at Brooklyn Polytechnic and his PE license from the State of NY.
In the late 1950s, John and Mary settled with their growing family in the new community of Commack NY.
John and Mary were very active in parish life at both Christ the King Commack and later at St Joseph Kings Park. Over the years John faithfully served as usher, lector, Knights of Columbus, Nocturnal Adoration and in various other ministries. He had a strong prayer life with special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Divine Mercy.
After John retired from the DOT in the early 1990s he was able to devote more time to his grandchildren, taking many trips out of state over the subsequent years to joyfully attend birthday celebrations and be a part of other significant events in their lives.
John spent his final years in the care of Gurwin Nursing Center of Commack where the family gave him the nickname of 'comeback kid' for miraculously surviving several bouts of Covid. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to John's Care Team for their kindness, support and compassion over the years.
May he now rest in peace!
Jesus, we trust in you!