OBITUARY
Salvatore Arena
1/12/1932 – 2/19/2025
Arena, Salvatore (Sammy) 1/12/1932. Son of Bella (nee Torres) and Vito Arena, he passed away peacefully at home on 2/19/2025 at the age of 93. He was predeceased by Rae (nee D’Angelo), his beloved wife of 70 years and his cherished son, Peter Paul. He will be so missed by his son Victor and daughter-in-law Jane, his grandchildren Peter (Kiira), Kara and Daniel and great granddaughters Josephine and Elowyn, brother-in-law Peter (Peg) D’Angelo, and many nieces and nephews. Also predeceased by his sister-in-law Mary Trapani (Benedict).
Dad was a very proud member of Local 731 for over 50 years, and his years as a well-respected shop steward enabled him to provide jobs for many workers, opening a path for them to the middle class. He was a mentor to many until his retirement at age 73. His good advice to his grandchildren was to ‘make your boss’s job as easy as possible.
His life revolved around his family, he was completely devoted to Rae and his sons, and later, wherever his grandchildren were, you were sure to find him. He was outgoing and loved to chat with whoever came his way, he could fix almost anything and loved to lend a helping hand. He was a stellar example of unselfish love, and we were blessed with his presence in our lives.
A wake will be held at Wantagh Abbey on Friday 2/28 from 5pm-8pm, funeral mass on Saturday 3/1 at St. Frances De Chantal, Wantagh at 10:45, burial immediately following mass at St. Boniface Cemetery in Elmont.
Donations in memory of loved ones can be made online to Good Shepherd Hospice via: www.chsti.org/good-shepherd-hospice
By check (make checks payable to Good Shepherd Hospice Foundation) and mailed to:
Good Shepherd Hospice Foundation
110 Bi-County BIvd., Suite 114
Farmingdale, NY 11735
*Please state the deceased’s name in the check memo or include a note with the donation. Or call the Development Department at 631-465-6350 during normal business hours to make a credit card donation over the phone.
To send flowers to the family please visit: Flower arrangements
MEMORIAL VISITATION AT FUNERAL HOME
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Friday, February 28, 2025
Wantagh Abbey Funeral Home
3374 Park Ave
Wantagh, New York 11793
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MEMORIAL FUNERAL MASS
10:45 am
Saturday, March 1, 2025
St. Frances de Chantal
1309 Wantagh Avenue
Wantagh, New York 11793
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FINAL RESTING PLACE
St. Boniface Cemetery
631 Elmont Rd
Elmont, New York 11003
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