Salvatore Bernard Bommarito

Salvatore ("Sal") Bernard Bommarito, age 92 passed peacefully on June 12, 2025 surrounded by family. Sal was born August 20, 1932, to Anna (Worosch) and Filippo Bommarito in Detroit, Michigan. He attended St. Edwards grade school and St. Anthony's high school, graduating in 1950. He completed his undergraduate and dental degrees at the University of Detroit, graduating in 1959.
He met the love of his life, Gretchen Anna Weishaar, while picking strawberries in northern Michigan. They married on January 29, 1955, at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church. They welcomed their first son, Philip in November of 1955, then Michael, Lisa, Stephen and Laura over the next 4 years, all while he was completing dental school. Ann arrived in June 1963.
Sal started his career as a dentist for the City of Dearborn in 1959, and practiced there until he opened his own dental office in Warren on June 17, 1963, the day his daughter Ann was born.
The family lived in Detroit until 1968 when they moved to Rochester. In 1979 they moved to Oxford, finally settling in Lake Orion in 1998.
Sal, enjoyed golfing, gardening, cooking, playing board and card games. He had an incredible knowledge of world history, and was well known for being a connoisseur of chocolate! His biggest joy in life was spending time with his family and friends.
Salvatore is preceded in death by his parents, Filippo and Anna, and his brother James and sister-in-law Barbara.
He is survived by his wife Gretchen, children Philip (Sheryl) Bommarito, Michael (Denise) Bommarito, Lisa (Martin) Hansen, Stephen (Linda) Bommarito, Laura (Ken) Ottinger, and Ann (Mark) Schram, and Lisa Ritter (honorary daughter);
17 grandchildren; Sara Bommarito, Natalie (John Kenyon) Bommarito, Michael J (Jillian) Bommarito II, Paige (Brian Leu) Bommarito, Ethan Bommarito, Andrew (Elizabeth) Hansen, Brent (Emily) Hansen, Scott Bommarito, Brian (Kennedy) Bommarito, Josh Bommarito, John (Molly) Westergaard, Matt (Adina) Westergaard, Emily (Kayle) Bollin, Philip Ottinger, Mitchell Schram, Megan (Brenton Bober) Schram, Mallory (Nathan) Polaniec; and 17 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service, will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Hospital or McLaren Hospice.