Emilio Thomas Saldari, 99, of Harwick, Springdale Township, passed away peacefully Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024.
He was born July 20, 1924, in Ernest, Pa., son of the late Thomas and Alline Saldari.
Emilio, "Chum," to all who knew him, attended Springdale High School and was drafted in 1943 to serve in the U.S. Army. Chum fought in four major battles during World War II including the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded four bronze stars and then in 2015 he and his family traveled to the French Embassy in Washington, DC, where the French government honored him with the "Chevalier Award."
Chum married Ida Carassanesi June 28, 1947.
Chum was a coal miner, having worked at both Harwick and Harmar mines, and was also employed at Edgewater Steel. He was a representative of the United Mine Workers Union and served as president of Local 4426.
Chum was a lifetime member of the Allegheny Valley Volunteer Fire Department as well as having lifetime memberships at VFW Post 1437, American Legion Post 593 and Disabled American Veterans Allegheny Kiski Chapter. Chum was constantly helping his community, volunteering his time in many capacities. He was an adult supervisor and designated bus driver for the Shamrocks Drum and Baton Corps. He umpired and coached little league baseball and was a Cub Scout leader. In addition, he was an usher at Our Lady of Victory Roman Catholic Church and served as Democratic Committee chairperson for Springdale Township. Chum also volunteered countless hours to any organization that requested his help.
Chum was also a car enthusiast, having fully restored a 1951 Cadillac, Ford Model T and Ford Model A. Every Monday evening for years, you would always know where to find Chum, as he would be at the fire hall volunteering for bingo. In recognition of his service to his country, community and profession, the Allegheny Valley School District inducted Chum into their Alumni Hall of Fame. Allegheny Valley School District officially presented Chum his high school diploma nearly 75 years later in 2019 as he had never officially graduated, having been drafted into World War II.
Chum was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Caroline Kucik, Anna Scillion and Louise Wilkosz.
He is survived by his wife, Ida, of more than 76 years; his son, Thomas (Melissa) Saldari; daughter, Carolyn (Eric) Bengel; grandchildren, Eric Bengel Jr., Alexis Bengel, Thomas Saldari Jr. and Emily Saldari; and many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and close family friends. Family was most important to Chum. He lived his life by the golden rule, treating others as he wanted to be treated and he never forgot where he came from.
Chum will be laid to rest at Deer Creek Cemetery, Harmar Township, with military honors.
Adam Siemianowski Funeral Home, Russellton, Pa
He was born July 20, 1924, in Ernest, Pa., son of the late Thomas and Alline Saldari.
Emilio, "Chum," to all who knew him, attended Springdale High School and was drafted in 1943 to serve in the U.S. Army. Chum fought in four major battles during World War II including the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded four bronze stars and then in 2015 he and his family traveled to the French Embassy in Washington, DC, where the French government honored him with the "Chevalier Award."
Chum married Ida Carassanesi June 28, 1947.
Chum was a coal miner, having worked at both Harwick and Harmar mines, and was also employed at Edgewater Steel. He was a representative of the United Mine Workers Union and served as president of Local 4426.
Chum was a lifetime member of the Allegheny Valley Volunteer Fire Department as well as having lifetime memberships at VFW Post 1437, American Legion Post 593 and Disabled American Veterans Allegheny Kiski Chapter. Chum was constantly helping his community, volunteering his time in many capacities. He was an adult supervisor and designated bus driver for the Shamrocks Drum and Baton Corps. He umpired and coached little league baseball and was a Cub Scout leader. In addition, he was an usher at Our Lady of Victory Roman Catholic Church and served as Democratic Committee chairperson for Springdale Township. Chum also volunteered countless hours to any organization that requested his help.
Chum was also a car enthusiast, having fully restored a 1951 Cadillac, Ford Model T and Ford Model A. Every Monday evening for years, you would always know where to find Chum, as he would be at the fire hall volunteering for bingo. In recognition of his service to his country, community and profession, the Allegheny Valley School District inducted Chum into their Alumni Hall of Fame. Allegheny Valley School District officially presented Chum his high school diploma nearly 75 years later in 2019 as he had never officially graduated, having been drafted into World War II.
Chum was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Caroline Kucik, Anna Scillion and Louise Wilkosz.
He is survived by his wife, Ida, of more than 76 years; his son, Thomas (Melissa) Saldari; daughter, Carolyn (Eric) Bengel; grandchildren, Eric Bengel Jr., Alexis Bengel, Thomas Saldari Jr. and Emily Saldari; and many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and close family friends. Family was most important to Chum. He lived his life by the golden rule, treating others as he wanted to be treated and he never forgot where he came from.
Chum will be laid to rest at Deer Creek Cemetery, Harmar Township, with military honors.
Adam Siemianowski Funeral Home, Russellton, Pa
Emilio Thomas Saldari, 99, of Harwick, Springdale Township, passed away peacefully Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024.
He was born July 20, 1924, in Ernest, Pa., son of the late Thomas and Alline Saldari.
Emilio, "Chum," to all who knew him, attended Springdale High School and was drafted in 1943 to serve in the U.S. Army. Chum fought in four major battles during World War II including the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded four bronze stars and then in 2015 he and his family traveled to the French Embassy in Washington, DC, where the French government honored him with the "Chevalier Award."
Chum married Ida Carassanesi June 28, 1947.
Chum was a coal miner, having worked at both Harwick and Harmar mines, and was also employed at Edgewater Steel. He was a representative of the United Mine Workers Union and served as president of Local 4426.
Chum was a lifetime member of the Allegheny Valley Volunteer Fire Department as well as having lifetime memberships at VFW Post 1437, American Legion Post 593 and Disabled American Veterans Allegheny Kiski Chapter. Chum was constantly helping his community, volunteering his time in many capacities. He was an adult supervisor and designated bus driver for the Shamrocks Drum and Baton Corps. He umpired and coached little league baseball and was a Cub Scout leader. In addition, he was an usher at Our Lady of Victory Roman Catholic Church and served as Democratic Committee chairperson for Springdale Township. Chum also volunteered countless hours to any organization that requested his help.
Chum was also a car enthusiast, having fully restored a 1951 Cadillac, Ford Model T and Ford Model A. Every Monday evening for years, you would always know where to find Chum, as he would be at the fire hall volunteering for bingo. In recognition of his service to his country, community and profession, the Allegheny Valley School District inducted Chum into their Alumni Hall of Fame. Allegheny Valley School District officially presented Chum his high school diploma nearly 75 years later in 2019 as he had never officially graduated, having been drafted into World War II.
Chum was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Caroline Kucik, Anna Scillion and Louise Wilkosz.
He is survived by his wife, Ida, of more than 76 years; his son, Thomas (Melissa) Saldari; daughter, Carolyn (Eric) Bengel; grandchildren, Eric Bengel Jr., Alexis Bengel, Thomas Saldari Jr. and Emily Saldari; and many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and close family friends. Family was most important to Chum. He lived his life by the golden rule, treating others as he wanted to be treated and he never forgot where he came from.
Chum will be laid to rest at Deer Creek Cemetery, Harmar Township, with military honors.
Adam Siemianowski Funeral Home, Russellton, Pa
He was born July 20, 1924, in Ernest, Pa., son of the late Thomas and Alline Saldari.
Emilio, "Chum," to all who knew him, attended Springdale High School and was drafted in 1943 to serve in the U.S. Army. Chum fought in four major battles during World War II including the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded four bronze stars and then in 2015 he and his family traveled to the French Embassy in Washington, DC, where the French government honored him with the "Chevalier Award."
Chum married Ida Carassanesi June 28, 1947.
Chum was a coal miner, having worked at both Harwick and Harmar mines, and was also employed at Edgewater Steel. He was a representative of the United Mine Workers Union and served as president of Local 4426.
Chum was a lifetime member of the Allegheny Valley Volunteer Fire Department as well as having lifetime memberships at VFW Post 1437, American Legion Post 593 and Disabled American Veterans Allegheny Kiski Chapter. Chum was constantly helping his community, volunteering his time in many capacities. He was an adult supervisor and designated bus driver for the Shamrocks Drum and Baton Corps. He umpired and coached little league baseball and was a Cub Scout leader. In addition, he was an usher at Our Lady of Victory Roman Catholic Church and served as Democratic Committee chairperson for Springdale Township. Chum also volunteered countless hours to any organization that requested his help.
Chum was also a car enthusiast, having fully restored a 1951 Cadillac, Ford Model T and Ford Model A. Every Monday evening for years, you would always know where to find Chum, as he would be at the fire hall volunteering for bingo. In recognition of his service to his country, community and profession, the Allegheny Valley School District inducted Chum into their Alumni Hall of Fame. Allegheny Valley School District officially presented Chum his high school diploma nearly 75 years later in 2019 as he had never officially graduated, having been drafted into World War II.
Chum was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Caroline Kucik, Anna Scillion and Louise Wilkosz.
He is survived by his wife, Ida, of more than 76 years; his son, Thomas (Melissa) Saldari; daughter, Carolyn (Eric) Bengel; grandchildren, Eric Bengel Jr., Alexis Bengel, Thomas Saldari Jr. and Emily Saldari; and many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and close family friends. Family was most important to Chum. He lived his life by the golden rule, treating others as he wanted to be treated and he never forgot where he came from.
Chum will be laid to rest at Deer Creek Cemetery, Harmar Township, with military honors.
Adam Siemianowski Funeral Home, Russellton, Pa
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