Louis Edward Salerno, 59, of Rotterdam, passed away suddenly on Sunday, August 15, 2010. Born on October 5, 1950, in Schenectady, Louis graduated from Schalmont High School. He then attended Hudson Valley Community College and graduated from State University College in Brockport with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He received his Master of Social Work degree from Russell Sage. Louis' 31 years of service to the community began in 1972 with the Schenectady County Probation Department. In 1979, he became the first youth services counselor with the Town of Rotterdam Youth Aid Bureau, which later became the Community Services Unit. Along with his service to our community, Louis served our country in the Air National Guard with 36 years of service, retiring as a chief master sergeant. Louis was an active member and past president of the Rotterdam Sunrise Rotary and was a recipient of numerous awards, including Rotarian of the Year four times. He was active in the Rotary Youth Exchange Program and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He also served on many community service boards. Louis was an avid golfer and enjoyed cooking for his family and friends. He was a communicant of St. Madeleine Sophie Church. He is survived by his wife of 38 years in November, J. Christine Keith Salerno; two sons, Damian Salerno and his fiancee, Jessica Thaler, and Ryan Salerno and his partner, Jason Villarreal; his grandson, Grayson Lane Salerno; his parents, Ralph J. and Carolina R. Dagostino Salerno; his brother, Charles Salerno and his wife, Kristen of Seattle Washington; his mother-in-law, Jane Keith. Louis is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. Calling hours will be held on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Ave., Rotterdam. Funeral services will begin 9 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, followed by a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Madeleine Sophie Church, 3500 Carman Rd., Guilderland. Burial with military honors will follow at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in Louis' memory to The Rotary Foundation, c/o Frank Renna, 1742 Chrisler Ave., Schenectady NY 12303, or to the charity of one's choice. |
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