Wayne Arlin "Sano" Haldi

1937 - 2025

Wayne Arlin "Sano" Haldi, 88

There is a hole in the Center of the Universe.

Wayne Arlin "Sano" Haldi, 88, passed away peacefully at his home on October 12, 2025. Sano's son Kyle and daughter-in-law Allyson were with him.

Has there ever been a man more beloved by an entire town? Truly Sano was the center of the Center of the Universe. His heart and passion and energy were boundless.

Sano was a man of many lives, but he was, first and foremost, a family man, a loving son and husband, father to four children and foster father to countless young men and women. They will miss him always, but will carry countless special memories and lessons he taught them along the way.

Born January 18, 1937 in Coeur d'Alene Idaho to Walt and Louise (Cantrall) Haldi, Sano and his younger sister Kathie were raised in Wallace; he graduated from Wallace High class of 1955 and served in the army from 1960 to 62, making life-long friends wherever he went. Returning to Wallace, Sano worked for his folks, cooking at the Gem Cafe, and later Sweets Café. He has been feeding the entire community ever since.

Sano became an Elk on Feb. 27, 1958 at Wallace Elks Lodge No. 331, and immediately joined the Wallace Drum and Bugle Corps. He was the driving force behind its revitalization, ensuring that this proud tradition, the last Elks Drum and Bugle Corps in the nation, survived.

For many years he was the Lucky Lager Beer distributor; in summers his 10 year old son rode shot gun. "Guard the beer," he'd tell Jeff, as he disappeared into another bar to deliver and possibly the sample the product.

In the early 70's, something happened that re-set Sano's life. Babe Streeter asked him if he'd be willing to take over running the Shoshone Golf Club, just temporarily, until a permanent golf pro could be hired. Thirty years later, Sano retired as golf pro, manager and Number One Party Thrower, having catered weddings, funerals and everything in between. He had introduced his three sons and countless others to the joy of the game; organized decades of Labor Day and Babe Streeter Invitational tournaments and many other tournaments throughout the years.

"Retired" wasn't a concept Sano recognized. Always an active member of the Elks, Sano put his moves on the Elks' kitchen. Within a few years it was Sano's Kitchen. He and his faithful crew cooked for nearly every event in the Valley, including the Gyros every Thursday. As the Elks' tribute said, "there wasn't a stomach in this valley he didn't feed."

Sano was part of the fabric that wove, not only the Elks Lodge, but the whole community, together. He made outsiders feel like insiders. With friends, he co-founded the Wallace Blues Festival and Mining & Swilling. With Michael Aldredge, he opened the Wallace Wine Shop, sharing Wallace stories and a glass with vino with tourists and friends. Every year he and his friends traveled to the far reaches of the "universe", stopping at every bar and tavern, selling hundreds of Lead Creek Derby tickets.

He loved playing "crib" and telling stories. There wasn't a local family whose history and stories he couldn't recount. He partied hard, mentored countless young people, liked to end the evening with friends sitting on either side of him, enjoying a Stinger or two.

Sano is preceded in death by his wife Hollis (Holly) J. Anderson-Haldi who passed earlier this year on June 23, 2025. He is survived by his four children, Jeff (Lexi) McKay, Allison Gilham, Scott Haldi and Kyle (Allyson) Haldi, two nieces Shannon (Will) Morris and Shelly (Eric) DesMarais and their families, five grandchildren, Kendall (Alex), Hayden (Rayna), Nolan, Regan and Mackenzie.

One hell of a celebration of Sano's life will be held at the Wallace Elks Lodge (where else?) on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Shoshone Golf Club, www.shoshonegolf.com

Memories, photos and messages of condolences may be shared online with Sano's family at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com Shoshone Funeral Services of the Silver Valley, is assisting the Haldi family with arrangements.