Salvatore Falletta

Salvatore James Falletta, 73, of Uniontown, Ohio entered into eternal peace surrounded by family on November 11, 2015 after a courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia.

Sal was born in Lakewood, Ohio to Charles and Carmella (Ambrosia) Falletta on February 13, 1942. He was raised in a loving Italian family as the third of five siblings, of whom he was so very proud. He graduated from Revere High School and went on to attend John Carroll University where he earned his BA in Philosophy. He finished his formal education at Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago, Illinois. He also served 6 years in The Marine Corp Reserves.

While practicing law in Akron, Ohio, Sal served as General Counsel for The International Chemical Workers Union from 1968 to 1989. It was here that he was instrumental in drafting and getting passed, the Right To Know Bill. He then continued his law career by representing teachers and the Ohio Education Association from 1989 to 2006. He finished his career working for the National Pilots Association from 2006 to 2008.

Always more important to Sal than his career, was his passion for fighting for what is right, even in situations where it was unpopular. He has been a proud member of the vocal minority that is the root of all the positive change in the world. Sal tirelessly marched and fought for civil rights and civil liberties, he taught his children to never cross a picket line and once took them out on Thanksgiving Day to bring coffee and donuts to union workers who were on strike. He never bragged of his accomplishments, although his proud wife, Bunny, was quick to point them out in any and every situation.

Sal married Florence "Bunny" Russo on September 28, 1968 in Chicago, Illinois. They then moved to Akron, Ohio where they started a life together and raised their 3 children. The five of them often took road trips in the family van. Set to a soundtrack of a wide array of music he loved, some of his children's fondest childhood memories were made on the road. Excluding, of course, the hours during their trip out West where he made them listen to The Roadside Geology of Arizona.

Sal had an unparalleled passion for learning... about everything. He was a lover of books, music, philosophy and astronomy. He was known to leave a discussion mid-sentence and grab a book from his library pertaining to the subject at hand. He enjoyed finding out about his heritage and ancestry and spent countless hours interviewing relatives to recreate the family tree.
One thing he never learned about was cars; evidenced by the fact that he drove the family van 150,000 miles before discovering it had a tilt steering wheel.

Above all else, Sal's greatest love in life was his family. Every Sunday was spent with family gathered around his parents' table laughing and recounting stories of their childhood.
He was an epic story teller and always added in his own humor and wit at the perfect moments. He had a smile that could change the course of someone's day and sometimes laughed so hard that he squeaked.
He was often the voice of reason during household arguments, including a famous family game of kickball that is forever memorialized on VHS tape. He gave hugs that could squeeze the breath right out of you and had a special way of making everyone he met feel like the most important person in the room. He was firm yet gentle, strong yet humble. Lovingly known as "Pop" to his three children, Sal always knew when to give them sound advice or sit with them in silent support. He also knew that doing a special dance every time they stubbed their toe would make them reluctantly laugh through their pain.

His absolute greatest joys in life these past 5 years have been his 4 treasured grandchildren. They made his eyes light up with pride and his heart and mind go back to simpler times. He showed them a true love that will last long after he is gone.
Sal was selfless and proud. He fought against his disease with grace and quiet strength and we are certain he often suffered in silence to protect those he loved. We have found immense joy knowing that his suffering is over, yet profound heartache as we begin to face this life without him.

Sal leaves behind the love of his life and devoted wife of 47 years, Florence (Russo) Falletta; daughter, Veronica Falletta of Kent, Ohio; son, Salvatore "Sam" (Lynn) Falletta of Uniontown, Ohio and their children, Gabriella and Salvatore "Sammy"; daughter, Theresa (Reginald) Pryear Jr. of Dublin, Ohio and their children, Tre and Carmella; brother, Louis (Angela)Falletta of Pompano Beach, Florida and brother Chris Falletta of Deerfield Beach, Florida; along with a host of loving nieces, nephews, family and lifelong friends. He was preceded in death by, and will be reunited in heaven with, his parents, Charles and Carmella Falletta; brother, Charles "Chuck" Falletta and sister, Josephine Falletta.

Sal's wife devoted her life these last several years to caring for him in the comfort of their family home. She would like to give special thanks to Patty, Terri, Dawn and Jennie, Sal's in-home caregivers that helped her along the way. The family would also like to extend sincere gratitude to family friend, Amy Polachek-Kuhn and the entire Akron City Hospital's Acute Palliative Care Unit for Hospice staff for ensuring Sal's final days were full of dignity and free of pain.

At his request, cremation has taken place. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. WEDNESDAY at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 1800 Steese Rd., Uniontown 44685. Friends may call at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd., TUESDAY from 4-8 p.m. In Lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made in his name securely online at http://www.lbda.org/donate or mailed to: Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Road, S.W., Lilburn, GA 30047. (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)