Obituary of Salvatore Traina

Salvatore Traina died Saturday, October 12 at the age of 90.  He was born and raised in Paterson, NJ.  Sal married the love of his life, Joan Benanti, in 1951 and they enjoyed over 64 years together in marriage, prior to Joan's passing in 2016.  Sal was a graduate of Rutgers University.

Sal worked for the Bendix Corporation as an auditor in Teterboro, NJ and retired at the age of 54 to enjoy family life.  As Sal and Joan raised their family in Little Falls, NJ, they enjoyed spending summers at the Jersey Shore where Sal built several shore homes.  Sal was a Cub Scout leader and a collector of his favorite hobbies.  Later in retirement, after 1983, Sal and Joan enjoyed the winter months living in Florida and also going on cruises with family members.  Sal followed the stock market for more than 50 years and he provided sound financial advice to his kids many times.

In their later years, Sal and Joan lived in Toms River, NJ and for the last 17 months, Sal was lovingly cared for by his daughter, Nancy, while living at Brookdale Assisted Living in Hilton Head Island, SC.  Sal is fondly remembered for being an enthusiastic Yankees fan and made many friends in Hilton Head by just wearing his Yankees cap.  Sal is survived by six children, James (Ann) of Florida, David (Nina) of California, John (Ann), Robert (Kathy) and Kenneth (Rosina) of New Jersey, and his favorite daughter, Nancy (Bob) of South Carolina.  He was blessed with 16 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren who provided him with many happy memories.  

Sal was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Josephine Traina;  brothers, Joseph Traina and Paul Traina as well as his sister, Carmela (Millie) Adamo.

A funeral Mass for Sal will be celebrated on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at 9:30am at St. James of the Marches Church, 410 Totowa Rd., Totowa, NJ 07512. Entombment will follow the Mass at Calvary Cemetery in Paterson, NJ. 

In lieu of flowers and in Sal's memory, donations may be made to one of the following charities:

Brain Gain: c/o Bob Sulek, 8 Fox Grape Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

or

Volunteers in Medicine HHI: 15 Northridge Drive, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926