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Salvatore Joseph "Sal" Conte, 72, of Wethersfield, passed away after a short but valiant battle leukemia on Sunday, July 20, 2014, surrounded by his loving family. Sal, affectionately called "Puccio", a childhood nickname, was pre-deceased by his wife of 46 years, the former Mary Ellen Hambly. When Sal lost Mary Ellen, the love of his life, he was resigned to living out his days a widower. However, God had other plans for him. He brought back into Sal's life a woman, who more than 30 years before, was a friends and business colleague. Sal reconnected with Dianne Neville, and in no time at all, friendship blossomed into a deep mutual love, then marriage in February, 2013. Sal was born in Naples, Italy on May 5, 1942 to Paola Mancarella, of Hartford, and Angelo Conte of Siracusa, Sicily. Sal was brought to the U.S. when he was about seven years old but because the U.S. was at war with Italy at the time of his birth, he became a naturalized citizen. Sal joined the U.S. Marines and served with distinction from 1962 to 1968, including service in Cuba during the Missile Crisis. He was honorably discharged in 1968 but in his heart, he remained a Marine forever. Semper Fi. Sal began his professional career in shoe sales with Morse Fashions in Hartford where he discovered his aptitude and passion for sales. He then earned his broker's license and transitioned into real estate sale at the encouragement of his Father-in-Law. After teaming up with Carl Lucas for several business ventures, the duo formed Conte and Lucas Realtors, an independent agency. This partnership and close personal friendship lasted more than 40 years. One of his favorite places on earth was Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine. He enjoyed sharing this treasure with family and friends as often as he could. He took up hiking and soon became part of a small group of expert hikers, where he made several close friends, including Paul Bernier who, during the last few months, enabled Sal to continue hiking with dignity. He also decided to learn Karate and in typical fashion, he exhibited the passion and dedication to carry him through ten years of study and rigorous training. The culmination was his award of a Black Belt designation at age 69. He took great pride in this accomplishment, while earning the respect and admiration of his Sensei, Rob Robert, and his fellow classmates. Those who knew Sal best would say mediocrity was simply not in his vocabulary. He encouraged everyone he encountered to excel and live life to their fullest potential. His caring and compassion extended to virtually everyone he encountered. He loved his precious wife Dianne who he felt was a special gift from God. He deeply loved his two children Alisa St. Georges and Letisha Smith and their husbands Matthew St. Georges and Mark Smith, and his step-children Mary and Robert Neville. He adored his grandchildren Jessica, Michael, Matthew, and Sarah Gioia, Brianna and Chandler St. Georges, Makayla and Christopher Smith, and his Great Granddaughter Emilee Gioia and her mother Erica Meza. He loved his two surviving sisters, Santina D'Amico Conte, Stella Conte, and her husband Eugene Kadela, close family friend Annmary Fabrizi, and many others too numerous to be named here. He will be deeply missed by all whose lives were touched by his. His family wishes to express special thanks to his Oncologist Dr. Mark Dailey and to the kind, caring staff at the Hartford Hospital Cancer Center CB2. Calling hours will be Friday July 25 5pm-8pm at Rose Hill Funeral Home, 580 Elm St. Rock Hill. Funeral Mass will be Saturday July 26 9:00 am at St. James Church, 767 Elm St. Rocky Hill. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/hartfordcourant/obituary.aspx?n=salvatore-joseph-conte&pid=171811196&fhid=4089#sthash.mgrMhyU8.dpuf
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