Salvatore T. DiSano

DiSANO, SALVATORE T., 89, of Hattie Ide Chaffee Nursing Home, East Providence, Rhode Island, founder and president of Local 328, Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Food Store Workers, AFL-CIO, retiring in 1972, and Director of the RI Department of Labor from 1972-1975, passed away Saturday, January 27, 2007, at Roger Williams Medical Center, Providence.

During his long career in the labor movement, he served as president and business representative of Local 328 for 35 years. He also served as president of the Providence Central Labor Council, 1960-1973; Vice president of the Rhode Island State AFL-CIO, 1947-1973; president of the New England Council Meat Cutters, Food Store and Allied Workers, AFL-CIO, 1954-1958; Chairman of the New England States Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Food Store Workers Retail Negotiating Committees, 1954-1958, 1960-1964; Member of the Board of Trustees, Amalgamated Meat Cutters International Union Retirement Trust, 1964-1973; Member of the Advisory Board of Trustees of the Amalgamated Meat Cutters International Union and Industry Pension Plan, 1967-1973; Member of the Amalgamated Meat Cutters International Union Staff of Instructors, 1952-1973 and Board Chairman of Local 328 Federal Credit Union, 1967-1973.

In addition to serving as Director of the RI Department of Labor under former Governor Noel from 1972-1975, he also served in a number of public positions: Minimum Wage Board, The Apprenticeship Council, and the RI Bicentennial Commission. He was also a delegate to the National Democratic Conventions held in 1964 and 1972.

During 1943-1945, Mr. DiSano served in the U.S. Army in World War II in both the European and Pacific theatres in the famed 'Black Hawk' Division, the 86th Infantry Division.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and an associate member of the Fraternal Order of Police. He was an avid golfer and in 1968 was a charter member of Kirkbrae Country Club, Lincoln, RI.

On August 23, 2001 the Rhode Island Labor History Society, University of Rhode Island, awarded himwith a lifetime labor service award at a banquet that was held at the Casino, Roger Williams Park, Providence, Rhode Island.

He was the husband of the late Alice Flora DiSano (Valquette) with whom he was married for 58 years. Born in Barrington, Rhode Island on April 8, 1917, he was the son of Luigi DiSano and Concetta DiSano (Natale).

Mr. DiSano was educated in Warren schools and was a graduate of Warren High School, Class of 1934. He also was a 1959 graduate from the Trade Union Program, Harvard Business School, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was a past resident of Barrington, Warren, Providence, East Providence, and Cumberland.

Besides his two children, Christine McKay of East Greenwich and Samuel DiSano, Esq., of Barrington, he leaves five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and several brothers and sisters.

His Funeral will be held Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at 9AM in the PERRY/ McSTAY Funeral Home, 2555 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10AM in St. Martha's Church, Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence. Burial with Military Honors will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Calling hours, Tuesday 4-8PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: U.F.C.W. Local 328 Leukemia and Lymphoma Fund, 278 Silver Spring Avenue, Providence, RI 02904.