Sal Colla

Sal Colla Our most beloved father, nanno and friend, Sal Colla, passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love and adoration of his family on February 5, 2013. Sal was born in North Beach in 1919 to Sicilian immigrant parents, and married his beloved Josephine (2005) in 1946. His life spanned 93 years of memories, stories and adventures as well as the wisdom and humor that he imparted to his family, ever to be treasured. He lived a life that most cannot fathom: venturing into the CC Camps during the Great Depression, joining the Navy during WWII, and bearing witness to the ever changing SF Waterfront, both as a tug boat pilot and a proud member of ILWU #34. Dad was a great historian who left us with an indelible impression of his days spent in the Navy during WWII as a gunner on the USS Astoria (5 battle stars). He was a veritable walking history book whose likes we will never see again. As a family, we adored him, we laughed with him and we admired his fierce passion and his unwavering love for his family. He is sorely missed, but we are grateful for our time spent with him.
Sal is lovingly survived by his sons, Bob (Kathy), Frank (Carole), and John (Jaime). He will be forever treasured by his nine grandchildren, Robin, Josh, Isabelle, Nicholas, Francesca, Bryn, Micaella, Gianna, and Christopher. He is also fondly remembered by his great grandchildren and family members and friends too numerous to count.
Donations to Salesian Boys' and Girls' Club or the Marines Memorial Assn.
Private services were held.
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