Salvatore "Sal" Paonessa

NISKAYUNA- Salvatore “Sal” Paonessa. The Lord took home the gift he had given not only to our entire family but to all he ever met on March 14, 2025. Salvatore came here from Gimigliano, Italy, arriving in America December 10, 1954. He made his mark with all he met. The patriarch of his family is loved by all. As a Mason, he also left his mark building many homes and he passed his talent to his son and they built Paonessa & Son Masonry.

He shared his Italian heritage with his family and friends, with his huge garden, making soppressata, sausage, sauce and wine. He embraced his family and loved being together with them. We will miss him dearly, but all are better for having shared his journey.

Sal is predeceased by his parents: Maria Costantina Rotella and Francesco Paonessa; brother, Filippo; brother in laws: John Clas and William Kolber; and grandchildren: Paul and Douglas Sangalli.

He is survived by his siblings: Annina Clas, Maria Kolber, Tommaso (Laura) Paonessa, Angela Paonessa (Frank DeNucci), and Rosa (Vince) Stalteri; sister in law: Maria Paonessa; children: Doreen Sangalli, Maria Figliomeni (Truman Groff), Lucy Paonessa (Don Daley), Terri Tripi (Chris), and Francesco Paonessa (Caroline); grandchildren: Melissa Sangalli, Nicholas Madelone, Dillan Madelone (Gemma), and Morgan Groff; great grandson, Antonio Sangalli; and loving wife of 36 years Marcelle Kim Paonessa. He was also loved by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his calling hours on Monday, March 24, 2025 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 343 New Karner Road, Colonie, NY 12205. All are invited to attend his funeral Mass on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2777 Albany Street, Schenectady, NY. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Glenmont, NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.