(The following eulogy was submitted as a tribute for Sal Zimbardi)
On behalf of Fran, Gerry and Emma, Mary and the entire family, I want to express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for all of you, some who traveled far (but not without a star) being here today to reflect on, honor and celebrate Salvatore Richard Zimbardi’s life.
Sal was born on a Tuesday Sept. 23, 1941, the year legends like FDR, the only leader elected President for a third term, and when Ronald Reagan was elected to the Screen Actors Guild Board of Directors. Sal was born just 75 days before our country was attacked at Pearl Harbor. Perhaps ironically in some way, that became one of many catalysts for Sal’s deep love of his country, And in 1941 America’s song writer and singer Neil Diamond was also born. Sal enjoyed many of Neal Diamond’s hit songs including classics like “Sweet Caroline,” and most especially “America.”
A native of Port Washington, he graduated from Schreiber and C.W. Post College. A devoted husband, father, brother and uncle, who worked tireless days, nights (often weekends) to provide the absolute best for his family and clients. He was an incredibly talented man of extraordinary character, is it any wonder he has been a confidant, advisor and friend of so many? Sal’s persona was that of an honest, personable, passionate, warm man, with a heart of gold.
Sal always took the high road, did the right thing and underscored the importance of caring, sacrifice, hard work, investing, service to country, community and others. He clearly left an indelible mark in his distinguished business career and numerous leadership roles in community service including: president of Zimbardi Financial Group, retired commissioner for 12 years of the Port Police District, former captain and a 54-year member of the Port Fire Dept., including its Board of Directors, 38-year distinguished member of the Sons of Italy in America, past treasurer, The John Michael Marino Foundation, integral honoree of the annual Pride in Port celebration.
Sal was always willing to sacrifice his time and tomorrow so his family, friends, clients and others could live theirs today.
I first met our Uncle Rich and Aunt Fran Memorial Day weekend in 1971, when just 19 years old dating his niece Laura. They welcomed me with open arms, even before John Paul II from Poland, became the first non-Italian Pope to rule the Vatican in more than 500 years. I often shared with Uncle Rich while discussing things at Italian family gatherings, to remember, that just because I’m Polish, doesn’t make me infallible like Pope John Paul II. Therefore I ask all of you here to please keep this in mind as I do my best to sharing this with you all today.
That day in May 1971, over 44 years ago, when I met Uncle Rich, I could immediately tell he was a really cool guy. As the expression goes… “He had me at hello!” Uncle Rich and I both shared enjoyment in cars, when GM aka “The General” ruled the auto industry. Therefore I wasn’t surprised to learn this cool uncle drove a Pontiac, the iconic brand whose advertising tag line was We Build Excitement!
And let me tell you, Uncle Rich sure built excitement with his personality lighting up a room, revving everyone’s engines to maximum RPMs wherever he went.
While there are countless special times spent with Uncle Rich and lessons learned, please indulge me to share a few today:
When I was 25 and recently married he urged Laura and I to buy a house saying “You need to get in the market ASAP because by the time you think you’ll be able to save enough for the down payment, the house prices will rise faster than your savings can”. Boy, he was spot on!
He made Memorial Day and 4th of July BBQ’s each summer literally a blast! Truth be told, I think he wrote the book on fireworks and may have taught the Grucci’s …America’s so called 1st Family of Fireworks, all about pyrotechnics. A passion & skill thankfully passed on to his son DJ.
Perennial grilling & chilling occasions with the 5 Fs—Family, Friends, Food, Fun and Football. I’ll never forget his great passion for the New York Giants and the trip he took with Ronnie Henderson to meet Bill Parcels.
Nor his love of music and good movies. Just last weekend Kristen my daughter and I watched two of his favorites, Pretty Woman and My Cousin Vinny. Let me tell you had Joe Pesci’s girlfriend played by Marisa Tomei not know the right answers while testifying in court, Uncle Rich could have cracked the code knowing all about positraction.
I remember he smile on his face and pride in his heart watching all his children grow, marry and lead productive lives.
And of course the twinkle in his eyes when his beloved granddaughters Natasha, Brittany and Jenny came into his life and would visit and spend time with Poppy!
And then there were those terrific summer pool parties and laughs at Grandma Mary’s and Uncle Leo’s.
Plus cruising in his vintage 56 T-Bird along with his brother-in-law Leo Piergiovanni.
Trips to Manhattan, Hunter Mountain, Newport, Baltimore, Vermont, and of course, his fabulous trip to Italy with family with endless adventures and photos.
I fondly remember watching wrestling matches on TV and at the Nassau Coliseum with him, seeing wrestler Ivan Putski aka the Polish Power, from Krakow, Poland who coincidently was also born in 1941 like Uncle Rich.
Uncle Rich will always be remembered for providing valuable “culture lessons” to his nieces, nephews and eventually their spouses and children.
He was always there for our family, and especially for Laura’s mother Mary when her husband Leo passed away in 2001. With this great loss, Uncle Rich was also always there for son Rob and daughter Kristen for the everyday and huge occasions, including high school and college graduations, first jobs, holidays, weddings and christenings. Heck he flew to Hawaii for his niece Deana’s wedding and Owensboro, KY, for his nephew Rob and Priya’s wedding.
And I’ll never forget celebrating the outstanding milestone of his and Aunt Fran’s 50th wedding anniversary in 2013. Truly an inspirational milestone for all.
The memories go on and on and thankfully we have so many treasured photos to help us rekindle his lifetime with us.
Uncle Rich’s wonderful life embodied the American Dream. A life built on values of hard work, personal responsibility, duty, serving others, honor, faith in God, love of country and love of his family and friends. To this day, I can still see in my mind’s eye his smiling face, while hearing clearly of one of his favorite expressions, ”Great Country America!”
Today as we gather to celebrate his life, and comfort and support Aunt Fran during the loss of her soulmate of 70+ years, and support his children, grandchildren and family, let’s remember and be grateful for all of our own personal favorite moments shared with him. And for his heart of gold, great smile and love of life.
His niece Laura posted on Facebook a beautifully written piece that I’d like to share just an excerpt:
“A limb has fallen in the family tree. I hear a voice saying do not grieve for me. Remember the best times, the laughter, the song. The good life I lived when strong” Wow. The only thing I can add is that in terms of our family tree, Uncle Rich was our family’s giant sequoia tree.
Aunt Fran he deeply loved you and all of us. While it’s never easy to let go, Uncle Rich is now in a better place and not suffering. Eventually we will all reunite and see him smiling in heaven with family, friends, and I’m sure also giving the angels and saints some valuable culture lessons.
Uncle Rich thank you for all you’ve done for all of us and giving us so many wonderful years together. You’ll be greatly missed and your indelible impact and spirit will remain with us, forever cherished in our hearts! We love you. May God bless, Rest in peace.
Rob Kovalesky Sr.
