Richard Salvatore

1917 - 2016

Salvatore, Richard M.
Richard Maurice Salvatore died on June 29, at The Mews in Greenwich. He was 99. Dick was truly an example of a life well-lived. Born on February 8, 1917, to Maurice and Loretta McCann Salvatore, he was a lifelong Greenwich resident, devoted husband of 68 years to Mary Upington Salvatore (1918 - 2009), and beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He loved the opera and reading, and impressed all with his sharp wit and clear memory. Throughout his life he maintained an unwavering faith in God which guided all his decisions, and he will be best remembered for his kind and gentle heart which endeared him to everyone who crossed his path. Dick was born and raised in Greenwich, where he attended Greenwich schools and graduated from Greenwich High School. He was the first custodian at St. Mary's High School when it opened, and went on to serve as a custodian at Greenwich Catholic School for 35 years. Every student knew and loved Mr. Salvatore, so much so that he was invited to all of the class reunions. Dick is pre-deceased in death by his parents, his brothers Edward, Victor, and Joseph, and his beloved wife Mary. His family takes great comfort knowing that Dick and Mary have been reunited in heaven. He was cherished by his five children - Anne and Michael Novitsky of Wilton, Richard and Dianne Salvatore of Davidson, NC, Michael and Maria Salvatore of Baltimore, MD, Paul and Tina Salvatore of Stamford, and Mary and Vito Monti of Upperco, MD. He was "Poppy" to so many; most dearly his grandchildren - Beth Novitsky-Nicolau, Kristina Novitsky Comas, Amy Salvatore Reiss, Christopher Salvatore, Jason Salvatore, Andrea Salvatore-MacDowell, Heather Salvatore Gruccio, Brad, Brittany, Brendan, and Brooke Salvatore, and Maura and Caitlin Monti. Poppy adored and doted on his grandchildren, who fondly recall him driving the entire motley crue up to the Greenwich Catholic gym in the back of his pickup truck. He was also great-grandfather to Madeline and Molly Reiss, Andreas Nicolau, Ava Salvatore, Jake and Luke Salvatore, Henry and Maggie MacDowell, Max Gruccio, and Jackson and Lyla Salvatore. Dick's family would especially like to thank the loving staff at The Mews, who cared for him there these last five and a half years and dubbed him their favorite resident. There were so many who adored Richard Salvatore, and they are invited to call at the Fred D. Knapp Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 5 from 4 - 8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 10 AM at St. Mary's Church. Interment will be at St. Mary's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make a contribution to the Richard M. Salvatore Memorial Scholarship Fund, Greenwich Catholic Schools, 429 North Street, which was established upon his retirement in 1992.