With his beloved family by his side, Salvatore Cardinale peacefully passed in his home on Tuesday, May 12, 2015. Within just 3 short weeks of being diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, the world lost a beautiful human being and heaven gained a long awaited angel. He spent his final days surrounded by loved ones, sharing memories of his incredible and well-lived life.
A man of the highest integrity, Sal was admired and respected by all who knew him. He was generous, loving, kind, compassionate, and he influenced the lives of many. He made everyone feel important.
Salvatore was born in Pittsburg, California on July 18, 1932. He was the third child and the only son of Italian immigrants Phillip & Mamie Cardinale.
He attended Pittsburg High School where he played multiple sports, including basketball, baseball and football. In his senior year he became the first lineman to be awarded the Douglass Vieira Trophy as the most valuable player for his outstanding qualities of scholarship, leadership and good sportsmanship.
He graduated from High School in 1950 and spent one semester at Contra Costa Jr. College before transferring to the University of San Francisco on a football scholarship. Injured playing ball, he retired from the game. He went on to earn his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration at USF and later a Masters Degree from San Francisco State University.
In 1958, in the community he grew up in, he began a distinguished 40 year career in Education. He was hired as a teacher at Village Elementary School. By the age of 30, he had served as Vice Principle and was appointed Principle of Los Medanos Elementary School. Recognized for his leadership, he continued to move up the ranks as Director for Curriculum and then Assistant Superintendent for Personnel, where he served for eleven years. In 1982 he was appointed Superintendent of the Pittsburg Unified School District. He reigned at the helm for 10 years until he retired in 1992.
Sal was also very active in his community. Over the years, he sat on the Model Cities Commission, was on the Board of Directors at The Boys Club, taught Catechism at St. Peter Martyr, was an officer in Lions Club, member of Pittsburg Elks Club and twice served on the Contra Costa County Grand Jury.
Outside of work Sal enjoyed watching football, fishing, duck hunting, playing cards with his family and friends, gardening, fixing & building things, traveling, and his daily rituals of working 3 crossword puzzles and watching jeopardy.
His greatest joy came from spending time with his family. With pride, strong values, tradition, especially Italian tradition, he regarded his role as a Husband, Father, Nanu, Son, Brother, Uncle, and Cousin as his greatest achievement. He exemplified this through his unwavering love, selflessness, and devotion in everything he did.
Not a day will pass that we won't think about his beautiful and charismatic smile, his generous nature, integrity, and most important the love he gave to his family and friends. He was a spiritual man who embraced his Catholic faith and had a special devotion to Mother Mary. We will miss his physical presence, but we know he will be watching over us and can feel his spirit guiding us everyday
Sal is preceded in death by his loving wife of 44 years Joyce (Ascanio), his parents, Phillip and Mamie, and his sister Frances Cardinale.
Sal is remembered in love by his devoted wife and best friend Kathryn, beloved children Phillip (Amy) Cardinale, Vicky Cardinale, Laura Lanfranchi, adored granddaughters, Rachel, Nicole and Colette, and his loving sister Rose McWalters of San Francisco.
He also leaves behind Kathryn's family, whom he loved as his own, Bob Billeci (Lori), Kate Van Buskirk (Jeff), grandchildren, Lauren (Simon), Alison (Pat), Carrie (Brandon), Dan, and 5 great grandchildren.
He is also survived by his Sister-in-laws Marlene Smario, Gail Pearson (David), Janet Ascanio, and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at 5:00pm with a vigil at 7:00pm. Funeral liturgy Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 10:00am both days at Church of the Good Shepherd. Committal services following at Holy Cross Cemetery. Contributions can be made in Sal's memory to St. Jude Memorial Foundation.