ALBERT JOSEPH "HARP" SALINARDI

SALINARDI, ALBERT JOSEPH "HARP" 96 - Albert passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by love, on November 11, 2013 after a long, well-lived life. He is survived by his daughter, Barbara (Salinardi) Chan; his son-in-law, Paul Chan; and his grandson, David Chan. He is predeceased by his beloved wife of 64 years, Gertrude Domenica "Trudy" (Alessi) Salinardi; his parents, Joseph and Ann (MacNamara) Salinardi; his sisters, Elizabeth, Frances, Eleanor, Anna; and his brothers, Joseph and William. Born and raised in Phila., PA, he served in the US Army during WW II and wanted to enter the elite Paratrooper Division which eventually landed on the beaches of Normandy, France in 1941. Ironically, he wound up in the Military Police stateside guarding Italian prisoners of war and playing on the Army baseball team. An excellent athlete, when it was time to re-enlist, he was offered a promotion if he remained on the baseball team; but Al had other plans. After the War, he attended St. Joseph's College in Philadelphia where he studied Accounting. He had to leave school to support his family, which he moved to Deptford, New Jersey where he made his home. He worked for the US Postal Service and retired in his early 50s. He enjoyed exercising, dancing (both tap and ballroom), playing golf and bowling. He bowled with his daughter and his grandson until he was 93. He also enjoyed John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and James Cagney movies. His mantra was, "Never stop moving". He ran 15 miles a day until he was 70, and at 90, he was still lifting weights. At age 95, when asked how he was doing, he answered, "Fine, but at my age I don't even buy ripe bananas!". A loving husband, father and grandfather, he will be greatly missed by his family and those closest to him, which includes his live-in caregiver, Angel Sadowl, truly an angel, and her partner, Andrew. Services honoring Albert and celebrating his life will be private.