Obituary of Peter R. Salbego

Peter R. Salbego "Pete" Passed away very unexpectedly on Sunday, March 4, 2012 at Arnot Ogden Medical Center. He was born November 6, 1921 in Islan, Pennsylvania to Marco and Angelina (Lazeretti) Salbego. In addition to his parents, Pete was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Margaret (Melvin) Salbego and brother Archie Salbego. Pete is survived by his wife Olimpia "Lee" Montrose Salbego and his four daughters and their families: Barbara J. (Richard) Hartman and their children, Brigette (Shawn) and their daughter, Brook Alexis DeCenzo; Jason (Madeline) Hartman and their children, Charles "Charlie," Margaret "Maggie" and Samuel "Sammy;" M. Christine (Thomas) Conboy and their sons Peter and Thomas Conboy; Catherine M. (Peter) Shipsides and their children Geoffrey (Elizabeth) Shipsides and their sons James and George, Andrew (Katie) Shipsides and Colleen Shipsides; Carolyn A. (Michael) Dean and their children Heather and her daughter, Evalynn, Casey and Kevin Dean. Pete is also survived by his step-children, Vincent (Debbie) Montrose and their children, Matthew, Christopher and Sarah Montrose. Susan (Wayne) Cook and her son, Jason (Magen) Twedt, and Marie Pinkston. Pete is also survived by his sister, Ann (William) Taylor and sister-in-law Catherine (Melvin) Fillmore and special niece, Lois (Vincent) Chorney. There are just too many nieces and nephews to mention, but he loved each and every one of them as his own. Pete courageously served in the Pacific Theater during World War II in Okinawa and Iwo Jima attaining the rank of Master Sergeant. Upon his return from the war he resumed working for the Pennsylvania Railroad for 22 years as boilermaker, then joined Thatcher Glass from where he retired. Pete was an avid, high scoring bowler all of his life. He loved to play bocce and most of all he loved to dance. He loved talking to people and sharing his jokes of the day with everyone. Pete collected and loved people and they loved him back. Peter was truly a kind and gentle man. Most of all, Pete loved his family. We were his world and he was ours. He was a courageous fighter right up to the very end and he will be dearly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing this loving gentle man. We give special thanks to Woodbrook Assisted Living for making dad's past six weeks of life so wonderful. He truly loved living there. Family and friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, corner of W. Water and Walnut Streets, on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, March 8, 2012 at 9:15 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Church, Elmira. Committal prayers and interment, with military honors, will follow at St. Peter & Paul's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers those wishing may remember Pete with a donation to Notre Dame High School 1400 Maple Ave. Elmira, New York 14904.