Salvatore J. "Poppy" Leombruno

HUDSON FALLS -- Salvatore J. "Poppy" Leombruno, 78, of Notre Dame Street, passed away on Thursday, May 4, 2006, at his home, in the quiet, loving presence of his family.

Born on Feb. 4, 1928, in Hudson Falls, he was the son of the late Donato and Maria Geni (D'Alessandro) Leombruno.

At the age of 15, Sal joined the United States Maritime Service and later the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Navy. While serving his country during World War II, Salvatore was stationed for a period at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.

After his military service, he attended barber school in Schenectady and for many years, cut hair for his family and friends.

On Nov. 13, 1954, he married Johanne Ellen Shields at St. Mary's Church in Hudson Falls. She passed away on Sept. 27, 2002.

Sal worked for 39 years as a welder at Sandy Hill Iron & Brass Corporation formerly in Hudson Falls, where he retired in 1991. He also worked part time at Goldstocks, formerly in Queensbury. At one time, he worked three jobs to sustain his family.

He was a faithful communicant of St. Mary's/St. Paul's Church in Hudson Falls. Sal also belonged to the former Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Hudson Falls Lodge and the South Glens Falls American Legion Mohican Post 553.

Sal was an avid skier. He taught all his children to ski as soon as they could walk. Gore Mountain was their home for 25 years. Sal was a lifetime member of the Backwoods Ski Club at Gore Mountain and was one of the proud founders of the Gore Mountain North Creek Pole, Pedal and Paddle Endurance Race. Sal also enjoyed the North Creek White Water Derby and involved his children in either racing in the derby or just enjoying that weekend, every year. He was also a great golfer and a member of the Queensbury Country Club, The Tee-Bird Country Club and the Kingswood Golf Club. Sal loved bowling and had his daughters on a team called "Sal's Angels."

His family said "Dad was our rock, he gave us courage, strength and unconditional love. He always put his children first." Sal was so much fun to be around.

Besides his parents and wife, he was predeceased by his son, Salvatore Leombruno, II, who passed away on April 9, 2006, a granddaughter, Ashley Leombruno, his sister, Rosemary Luciano and his brother, Anthony Leombruno.

Survivors include his ten children: Sally Leombruno of North Carolina, Michele Leombruno and her husband, Edward Smith, of Virginia, Gina Leombruno Rouse and her husband, John, of Hudson Falls, Christopher P. Leombruno and his companion, Jerold K. "Jay" Wilson, of Nevada, Andrew Leombruno and his wife, Rodonna, of Hudson Falls, Mary-Kay Wood and her companion, Jeff Kill, of Kingsbury, Danielle Leombruno-Hillis and her fiancé, Jason Haxstun, of Kingsbury, Anthony Leombruno and his fianceé, Cherie Sipowicz, of Kingsbury, Amy Bingham and her husband, William, of Gansevoort and Nicole Haines and her husband, Andrew, of South Glens Falls; his 29 grandchildren; his 26 great-grandchildren; his two brothers, Daniel Leombruno and his wife, Peggy, of Hudson Falls and Frank Leombruni and his wife, Margaret, of Bullhead City, Arizona; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

There will be no public calling hours.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 8, 2006, at St. Mary's/St. Paul's Church on the park in Hudson Falls.

Bearers will be Christopher Leombruno, Andrew Leombruno, Anthony Leombruno, Andrew Leombruno,II, Jeff Kill, Jason Haxstun, John Rouse and Bryan Bingham.

The Rite of Committal, with full military honors, provided by American Legion Post 574 of Hudson Falls, will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in the town of Fort Edward.

His family suggests that memorial donations be made to Washington County Hospice, 415 Lower Main St., Hudson Falls, NY 12839.

Arrangements are under the direction of Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main St. in Hudson Falls.