Salvatore

Colao

Salvatore (Sal) Colao passed peacefully on the morning of March 23, 2025, in his long-time home of Cliffside Park, New Jersey. Sal was born on January 22,1929 in Brooklyn, New York to parents Angelo and Angelina Colao. He lived a long life filled with friends and family to the tune of "My Way." Sal met and immediately fell in love with his "beautiful bride," as he lovingly referred to her all these years, Donata (Paglia) Colao with whom he had five children, Kenneth, Thomas, Donnellen, Steven, and Gregory. While attending technical school at Newark College of Engineering, Sal was drafted into the United States Army where he proudly served as a Military Police Officer. His college education was cut short by the Korean Conflict, but his passion for building flourished when he later partnered with his father and brother in Angelo Colao & Sons, a general contractor servicing Northern New Jersey which focused on ecclesiastical and educational work and specialized in intricate masonry. Following a long bout with cancer, Sal closed his business and joined York Hunter, a Construction Management firm based in Newark, New Jersey, as a Branch Office Executive for the mid-Atlantic region.

Sal's passion for building was only eclipsed by his love for family, friends, and the mentoring of youth. Despite long days running a business, Sal earned a teaching degree and taught night classes for blueprint reading and estimating at Bergen County Technical School. A resilient soul and lover of life for over ninety-six years, Sal created countless memories and touched many lives. He had a meaningful impact on the community and his family by mentoring aspiring builders, coaching CYO, leading UNICO as Bergen County Chapter President, and using his trumpet as a wakeup call for his children. Throughout his life he enjoyed his downtime with his four brothers and friends playing cards and dancing into his nineties while enjoying homemade meals (all very hot and cut very thin). Sal's laughter rings loudly even now as he was a man always making jokes and finding a reason for optimism and joy.

He is preceded in ascending to heaven by his beloved and greatly missed wife, Donata (Paglia) Colao, his brothers and many dear friends. He is survived by his children, Kenneth and partner Diana, Thomas, and partner Andrea, Donnaellen, and her husband Joseph, Steven and his wife Lisa, and Gregory and his wife DanaLynn. He will be missed by his grandchildren, Jad and his wife Lauren, Danarenae, Deandra and her husband Thomas, Mia, Cara, Samuel, Abigail, Thomas, Cassandra, Benjamin, Evan, and Ryan, along with his great-grandchildren, whom he loved to play with, Liana and Carina.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Wounded Warriors.

The viewing will be held on Wednesday, March 26th from 4 pm to 8 pm at A.K. Macagna Funeral Home in Cliffside Park, New Jersey. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, March 27th at 9:30 am at Epiphany Church in Cliffside Park followed by interment at Madonna Mausoleum in Fort Lee, New Jersey.