Paonessa, Salvatore

ALBANY – Salvatore Paonessa, 87, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, October 7, 2018 in the Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital.

Born and educated in Gimigliano, Italy, he was the son of the late Francesco Paonessa and Maria Guiseppa Scalzo. He immigrated to the United States, settling in Albany in 1973. Sal worked for the New York State Office of General Services for more than 20 years. After he retired from New York State he went to work helping with maintenance at St. James Church (St. Francis of Assisi Parish) where he has been a communicant for many years.

Survivors include his wife, Maria; his children Frank Paonessa (Connie) of Torrance, CA. Michael Paonessa (Stephanie DeSorbo) of Voorheesville and Josephine Knack (Craig) of Delmar; eight grandchildren, Frankie, Daniel, Cristina, Michaella, Victoria, Alex, Nicholas and Ryan; a great-grandson, Luca; a brother, Guiseppe Paonessa (Sarina) of Genova, Italy; many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by two siblings.

Funeral services will be held Friday, October 12 at 8:45 a.m. from the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home, 490 Delaware Ave., Albany thence to St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 391 Delaware Ave. where his funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited and may also visit with Sal’s family on Thursday October 11 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may send donations to Community Hospice, Gift Processing Center, 310 So. Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208.