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Sal Balistreri Obituary
July 3, 1935 – February 10, 2020
Sal C. Balistreri, 84, a native San Franciscan, attorney, sailboat racer, Mikado Enthusiast, husband and father passed away in the early morning hours on February 10, 2020.He is survived by his wife and the love of his life, Mary, his two daughters, Christina (Michael Pallas) and Julia, son-in-law Mitchell Stricker-Balistreri, and his grandkids Salvo, Mikey, Marie, Savannah and Kesrith. He is also survived by his sister Joanna DiSanti and brother-in-law Nat.
Sal served in the Coast Guard from 1953-1957. He graduated from SF State and later USF Law School. He was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1965 and practiced law for over 50 years. He was a member of the Olympic Club for 67 years, and a championship sailboat racer with his first mate Mary through the Golden GateYacht Club, Bay View Boat Club & SSS. Sal was a proud connoisseur of eclectic music.
Born from his time in the Coast Guard, Sal loved traveling all over with his family and bringing back recipes that he lovingly cooked up for hours. There was no shortage of people brought together for a wonderful 11 pm meal at his house. Sal was a tough man, who could be hot headed at times but whose big hearted, generous nature cannot be topped nor forgotten.
Special thanks to Dr. Philip O'Keefe for his continued support and presence.
In lieu of flowers please donate in his name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Visitation on Thursday, February 20th at 5pm and the Rosary at 7pm at the Evergreen Mortuary of McAvoy O'Hara. The funeral will be held on Friday, February 21st at 10:30am at Saints Peter and Paul Church, committal to follow at the Italian Cemetery.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Sal Balistreri
Sponsored by McAvoy O'Hara The Evergreen Mortuary.
Paula Valinoti
February 10, 2024
Not sure why Sal came to mind today...last time we saw him and Mary was in SF where, of course, we were housed and wined and dined ( and sailed) as only Sal and Mary could do. Sal´s small stature was home to the biggest, most generous heart!
Last year my husband Joe tried contacting Sal, but received no response; again , I can´t explain why `today´ February 10th, he came vividly to mind, as I read (which I hardly ever do) an article in a sailing mag. Google provided me with the information I feared, but why today? I believe...
May God hold Sal in His Glorious Hands, and may Capo Gatto sail on forever!
Many belated condolences to Mary and Family ...The world is a little smaller without Sal in it...
Paula and Joe Valinoti
IL Gatto
Miss Edelgard Haas
July 31, 2020
Sal was my Landlord. He helped me when I needed help. Thanks, Sal
Lenny Jay
April 4, 2020
Sal, I'll always remember sailing on San Francisco Bay with you in the Friday night races. Win or lose, we always had fun, and Ill remember those times as some of the best in my life. Fair winds and following seas Captain.
Jerry Fishkin
March 25, 2020
Our family will always remember the guidance and support you provided, when we most needed it.
Rena Graham
March 15, 2020
Sal had a profound influence on my young life and I'm glad he was there to provide guidance when I needed it most. It's been decades since I've seen him and can only offer my condolences to Mary and say that I'm glad they made a good life together.
Lisha Garcia
February 22, 2020
You will missed Sal. RIP my friend I wont ever forget you Guidance and support. Much love and prayers.
Geri Green
February 20, 2020
Sal,
I will so miss your wisdom and true passion for this life. You understood our shared human experience, and what motivates our actions better than anyone I've ever known. Your generosity and kindness was beyond words. Your passion for life caused you to squeeze everything you could get out of it. You filled up the room and our hearts. I count the moments we spent together over the past 40 years, and the lessons I learned from you, as one of life's true blessings.
Godspeed, my friend.
Geri Green
Marvin Rous
February 20, 2020
Dear Sal,
You were the big brother I never had until we met close to 50 years ago. I learned a lot about dignity, generosity, humility, and honor from you. You were always there for anyone who needed help- often without being asked for it. You sensed what was needed and quietly took care of it regardless of who they were or what was needed-often for those who were otherwise strangers to you. I can't thank you [and Mary] enough for your friendship and for being there for my family and myself whenever we needed it.
You set a great example of how to live like a true gent. Hopefully I can follow your example with dignity and grace.
Mary and family members, I am sorry for your loss. But, we are all better for having known Sal and to have beeen part of his lfe as he was part of ours.
Marvin Rous and family.
Philip OKeefe
February 18, 2020
Sal Balistreri was a fair and generous man. He helped all of us lucky enough to meet him.
Cirilla DiSanti
February 17, 2020
Uncle Sal will always be in my heart. So many fun and funny times. You will be so missed
Joan Benjamin
February 17, 2020
The Benjamin family sends prayers and love to his beautiful family. Rest In Peace dear Sal you have touched all of our hearts throughout the years with fond memories you will never be forgotten Love Richard, Joanie Paul Tammy and Lisa Marie
Rose Chavez
February 16, 2020
Sal and my Husband Arthur Chavez were very good friends Art died Feb 19, 1998. Uncle Sal as my daughter would call him, helped me take Arts ashes and we threw them under the Golden Gate Bridge followed with prayers Rest In Peace, Sal, sincerely Rose Chavez from San Diego.
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