Anthony Michael Salvato
(April 26, 1926 - October 23, 2021)
Anthony Michael Salvato passed away on October 23, 2021, in Ames, Iowa from end-stage heart failure. He was 95 years old.
His generous and loving presence will be missed by his family, sister Rose "Honey" Mannina; his four children, Victoria Necessary, Viola Salvato, Laura Salvato, and Lisa Ann Salvato; his four grandchildren, John (wife Joannie), Nicholas (wife Anastasia), Kathryn (husband Nicholas), and Olivia; and his four great-grandchildren, Sophia, Alaina, Niko, and Hazel. He was a devoted father-in-law to Dennis Morris, Steve Necessary, and Adam Prince and an adoring uncle to his nieces and nephews.
Anthony joins his beloved wife of 46 years, Viola Cecelia Salvato (nee Willis) who passed in 2002.
Born April 26, 1926, in Brooklyn, New York, Anthony was the youngest son of Rose and Francesco Salvato and had eight siblings. He enlisted in the Navy in World War II and was stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas. Following the war, Anthony and his brothers John and Frank achieved business success through multiple Mister Softee franchises, Roma Italian Ices, AF&J Catering, food concessions at public parks and beaches, and commercial real estate ventures.
Anthony was a devoted fan of the New York Giants, Yankees, and Rangers, and was honored by the New York Yankees in February 2020 at George Steinbrenner Stadium in Tampa, FL for his service in World War II.
Anthony was a skilled rider and lover of horses, and a wonderful cook whose specialties included lasagna, meatballs, and malted milkshakes. He loved antique cars and was famous for his corny jokes. He enjoyed listening to and singing Country and Western music as well as the standards by Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. He was happiest with his family, working with his hands, eating out, gardening, traveling, attending auctions, and playing with his dogs, especially his Chocolate Lab, Coco.
Anthony retired to the Jersey Shore in 1999 where he lived until 2021.
A memorial mass will be held in spring 2022 in Brooklyn, New York.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Anthony's name to the Police Athletic League of New York City.
My father, Anthony Salvato, was the humblest person I ever met without working at it for one moment. He didn’t know how loving, selfless, forgiving and generous he was. He didn’t know that love is most often conditional because he simply gave it unconditionally. He didn’t know how selfless he was to work 7 days a week without complaint or benefit to himself; he asked for little more than coffee and his paper in the morning, dinner on the table at night, and a clear view of the TV when the news, the NY Yankees or the NY Giants were on it. He didn’t appear to know the phrase an “eye for an eye" as he easily practiced forgiveness. Not just forgiving someone 7 times, but let’s say, 70 x 7 times. He didn’t know how generous he was for giving to others, not just to family members and friends, but to neighbors and virtual or actual strangers, something he had that, well, someone else needed or wanted.
What my father knew, though, was that God existed. He believed in One God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in one Lord, Jesus Christ. And in one Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the giver of the most important life in world history. And in one Church, holy, Catholic and apostolic. My father knew that you should love God with all your being and your neighbor as yourself. Because, of course, Love Is Everything.
So, I guess I’m one of the few people who can say with accuracy that my father really did know everything.
Pax tecum, dad. Love always, Lisa Ann
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