Salvatore Purpora

Salvatore Purpora,92 of Great Kills passed away on January 24 after a three-month illness. His family was at his side. Born in Brooklyn to Angelo (an immigrant from Sicily) and Anna Purpora, Salvatore lived on Brown Street and attended Madison High School. Sal was predeceased by his one older brother, Gaetano. After graduation, Sal enlisted in the army and fought in the Korean War where he was a platoon Sargent. He was awarded a Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge with Oak Leaf Cluster. Sal came home after he completed his tour and rekindled his relationship with Annette (nee Tosto) whom he eventually married in 1955. 

Sal started his career as a butcher where he honed his skills in the meat industry and eventually with partners, owned two Key Food stores: one on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn and one on Madison Avenue in Manhattan. In the late 1960s Sal became a partner in Tres-Jay provisions where he spent the next 40 years developing a wholesale meat distributor to the five boroughs and New Jersey. 

Sal was the quintessential family man who spent all his leisure time with his children, cousins, and friends. Many a backyard party was had at his Great Kills home. New Years, Memorial day, 4th of July were just some of the reasons to get together. Lake George N.Y. cabins and St. Martaan visits were also staples in his life. But if there was one trip Sal cherished the most, it would have to be the trip he took to Sicily to visit the hometown of his dad. Sal was a wonderful and loving husband to Annette for 57 years. When she passed in 2013, he lost his will to live. That changed in 2014 when he met Marcy Coromilas. They would eventually marry in 2020. Marcy remained at his side during his illness and was with him when he passed.

Sal's legacy will forever be his family. They were gifted with his love, kindness, and absolute patience.

He is survived by five children -- Ronald (Gail), Donna Ferreri (Christopher), Anne Marie Colombo (Carl), Annette Colombo (Michael), and Sally Cracolici (Robert). He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.