Salvatore Mattei

Salvatore Mattei has passed away on August 28 at the age of 91, peacefully after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s and cancer. He was born in Castelforte, Italy on September 15, 1928, to his parents Marciano and Grantonia Mattei.

In 1950 he moved to Akron, New York in 1950, working in Batavia, NY as a barber until he opened Salvatore’s Barber Shop in 1966, staying and serving the community with his shop in Akron until he retired in 1989.

He then moved to West Palm Beach, Florida for the winters and Castelforte, Italy for the summers up until 2010. He was married to his wife, Josephine, for 69 years before her passing in 2016. He was known to his grandchildren as “Nonno”.

Salvatore’s passions were making his homemade Italian sausage, capicola, salami, wine, and bread. In Italy he grew his own olives and each year harvested them to make his delicious Olive Oil. He was also a beekeeper making honey every year.

He also loved to garden, raising fig, olive, and fruit trees. During his retirement he enjoyed traveling, fishing, gardening, and going to the beach with his wife.

Salvatore is also preceded by his brothers Americo and Federico but is survived by many nieces and nephews in Italy.

He is survived by his children; Annette (Joseph) Niegsch, Joseph (Dawn) Mattei, grandchildren; Julia (Joe) Hadeka, Stacy Mattei, Christopher Mattei, Merrill (Jeff) Kampf and great grandchildren; Annalise, Josephine and Victoria.

Condolences can be made through Palms West Funeral Home: www.palmswestfuneralhome.com

A celebration mass will be said at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local Alzheimer’s or Hospice organizations in Salvatore’s memory.