Salvatore J. Rinaggio

Salvatore J. Rinaggio, 97, of Dunmore, died Sunday evening at Allied Services Hospice from complications of COVID-19. His wife of 57 years, the late Annette "Irish" Coughlan, died in 2002.

Born in Dunmore, he was the son of the late Rocco and Carmella Rinaldi Rinaggio. Sal was a lifelong member of SS. Anthony and Rocco Parish in Dunmore, where he was an altar server for six years. Upon graduating from Dunmore High School, Sal enlisted in the United States Army where he honorably served his country overseas during World War II. Sal was employed by the Pennsylvania Gas and Water Co. for more than 40 years until his retirement as an inspector.

Sal was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and an avid hunter. He greatly enjoyed the outdoors, especially running and walking at Lake Scranton. He also took great pleasure in his garden, caring for his flowers and vegetables which he shared with family, neighbors and friends. He will forever be remembered as a generous and loving, son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle who will be greatly missed by his family.

Surviving are three daughters, Carmel Dolan, Olyphant; Kathleen Personius and her husband, Thomas, Binghamton, N.Y.; and Sally Ann Byron and Mark, Dunmore; seven grandchildren, Christine Dolan; Kelly May and her husband, Timothy; Dr. Mary Feldman and her husband, Dean; Suzanne Santarelli and her husband, Christian Wenzel; Jonathan Salvatore Santarelli and his wife, Jenn; Rick Byron and Danny Byron, five great-grandchildren, Kylie Jenkins, Alexander Santarelli and Alexandra, Sophia and Ava Feldman; a brother, Joseph and his wife, Monica, East Amherst, N.Y.; a son-in-law, Richard Byron, Scranton; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Tommy Dolan Jr.; an infant granddaughter, Stella Rose Santarelli; a son-in-law, Tom Dolan; and three brothers, James, Dominick and Vito Rinaggio.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 11 a.m. in the St. Anthony of Padua Church, Smith Street, Dunmore. All those attending the Mass are asked to follow current safety guidelines in respect to wearing a mask and social distancing. Interment to follow in St. Catherine's Cemetery in Moscow with full military honors.

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