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BORN
1959
DIED
2021
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Sal Cenicola Obituary
Boxer, actor, restaurateur, Sal "Rocky" Cenicola, 62, passed away peacefully on Aug. 31, 2021. Sal was a loving son, brother, husband, uncle, father and friend to many.
The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021, at St. William Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Oglethorpe Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday at Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home.
Sal was born on July 13, 1959, in Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck, New Jersey, to Salvatore Ugo Cenicola and Maria Boccanfuso Cenicola. Sal graduated in 1976 from Pascack Valley High School in Hillsdale, New Jersey, where he carved his path becoming a star wrestler, winning many tournaments and matches. He soon began a boxing career that would take him to new levels of success. In 1976, he won the New Jersey Golden Gloves Tournament and went on to win the 1977 N.J. State Blue and White Gloves Championships and the 1977 State AAU Championships. Cenicola made his name as a professional fighter in New Jersey in the mid-eighties for Main Events under the watchful eye of Hall of Fame trainer Lou Duva. On April 13, 2013, Cenicola came back at age 53 and won a three-round unanimous decision over 34-year-old Nathan Petty in a fight dubbed "Comeback to Reality." This fight set an official Guinness Book of World Records mark for the longest comeback ever by a professional boxer: 25 years and 66 days. Cenicola ended his boxing career with 19 wins, 2 losses and 11 knockouts.
Cenicola, born Salvatore Cenicola III, founded, owned and operated the legendary and highly successful Sal's Neighborhood Pizzeria and became a South Georgia legend who attracted N.Y. Style pizza lovers from all over the world who visited the Golden Isles area for the past 15 years. Cenicola, in recent years, became a successful play-by-play broadcaster for LDLTV Boxing Webcasts working with Boxer Hall of Famer Christy Martin on several shows. He was also a regular guest on the Talkin' Boxing with Billy C show for many years.
Survived by his sons, Nicholas and Sal Junior and their mother Lisa; his stepmother, Connie; his stepbrother, Ricky; his brother, David; and many friends, he was predeceased by his mother, Maria; and father, Salvatore Ugo.
Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home, www.edomillerandsons.com, is in charge of the arrangements.
Family-placed obituary
The Brunswick News, September 4, 2021
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Sal Cenicola
Sponsored by Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home.
Brian McElrone
August 30, 2024
Hard to believe 3 years have gone by since you´ve passed. You were larger than life and your memory stays strong. It was an honor to be your friend. Jake, Mulf, Leon, Riz & Mac (the Jersey boys)
Steven Soracco
December 9, 2022
So sorry to hear Sal passed over to the other side. I knew him in River Vale NJ. I had a print shop just around the corner from his business. He was always smiling and friendly.
Jacqueline Cenicola
May 30, 2022
So very sorry to hear of Sals passing. Say hi to your cousin Gary, I'm sure he was there to meet you
Lynn Roncin Lombardo
September 26, 2021
I am so sorry to hear about Sal´s passing. I lived next door to Sal in River Vale. Sal and my brother Scott were friends. I also was his baby sitter. Praying for the family.
Salvatore Colangelo
September 8, 2021
You will be missed by all who knew younRIP
Sal.
Doreen
September 8, 2021
Too many memories to share..met my gooba at blockbuster 22 years ago..my dog chooch was first inspector at restaurant...watched boys grow..
And then sal and i both had our cancer struggles......HE FAUGHT TO END...I PRAY I CAN be that strong.....he loved his family hatd and dream was italy...
Boys....hes still waiting on that
Dad loved lisa and u both so much...go!!! And bring me seppole ;) xoxo
Mardi Rockwell, Auburn, Al
September 5, 2021
So sorry to hear of Sal´s passing.
He was such a delight to know and be around. He was so outgoing and happy to see my teen grandkids. Sal´s was the only place to go for them. SSI won´t be the same. God Bless!
Connie
September 4, 2021
Connie
September 4, 2021
Connie
September 4, 2021
Connie
September 4, 2021
Rest in peace. Give your dad a hug for me.
John Moceyunas
September 4, 2021
Rest in peace Sal. You gave us 12 great rounds during your life with us brother.
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