Obituary of Salvatore F. Paolella

Salvatore Francis Paolella (Sal), a lifelong Madison resident, died peacefully in his sleep after a long illness on February 3, 2022. He was 84 years old.  He was predeceased by his wife of forty years, Joanne, in 2003. 

Sal is survived by his sons, Dean and Drew, his daughter in-law Janene, grandchildren Danielle, Adam and Michael, his siblings Lucy Paolella, Jeanne Lukasavage, Mary Ann Milne, Madeline Burdett, Dominic Paolella, John Paolella and Elizabeth Merli, as well as many nieces and nephews. 

Sal was born in Morristown on April 29, 1937, to the late John N. and Mary Paolella. He was raised in Madison, the oldest of eight children. When his parents both died at a young age, Sal and his sisters raised their four younger siblings.

After graduating from Bayley Ellard, Sal began a successful career with the United States Postal Service in Madison. He rose to position of supervisor, which he held for many years before retiring to take care of his first grandchild.  After retirement he worked with Meals on Wheels at the senior centers in Madison and Chatham Township for over 10 years.

In his retirement Sal enjoyed gardening, road trips, the excitement of a casino, good food and spending time with his family. He was a well-liked man who enjoyed socializing and had many lifelong friendships. Sal was a devoted husband, an involved father and a proud grandfather.  He was known as a gentle man with a terrific sense of humor and immense kindness and generosity of spirit.  Sal was also a man of great faith and a lifelong parishioner of St. Vincent Martyr Church. 

A Memorial Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00AM on Friday, February 11, 2022, at St. Vincent Martyr Church, 26 Green Village Road, Madison. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a Memorial Gathering for Sal prior to the Mass from 9:30AM to 10:00AM in the front vestibule of the church. Those who wish may attend virtually by visiting www.svmnj.org.

Sal’s interment will follow at St. Vincent’s Cemetery, Madison.

In lieu of flowers, please perform a random act of kindness in Sal’s memory.