Robert J. Salomone, 71, of East Moriches, New York and Marco Island, Florida passed away Thursday, January 11th 2024 in Marco Island from a long battle with cancer. He was 71.
He was born on February 2, 1952, and graduated from Mercy High School, SUNY Cortland with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education, and a master’s degree from Stony Brook University.
He began a long and distinguished career as a dedicated physical education teacher and coach in the Eastport Union Free School District, retiring in 2007 from the Eastport-South Manor Central School District.
As a coach, Salomone was highly respected by both his players and colleagues. As a tribute to his many accomplishments as a baseball coach for 32 years, the Eastport South Manor community dedicated the high school baseball dugout in his name. Not only did he win a New York State baseball championship in 1986, but in addition, his teams won 12 league championships, 12 Suffolk County championships, and six New York State final fours. He celebrated 400 wins in 2007 and was awarded Suffolk County Baseball Coach of the Year multiple times.
Salomone was committed to his community, having served on the East Moriches School Board and the Newport Beach Property Owners’ Association. As a lifelong boating enthusiast, he chaired the Riverside Dock Committee on Marco Island, Florida. He enjoyed traveling with family and friends, playing a wide variety of sports, and visited all but five of the Major League Baseball stadiums. However, the New York Yankees held a special place in his heart.
The light of his life and his biggest source of pride was his family, his family said.
His passion for teaching, boating and fishing was shared with his son, Barry, a teacher in the Patchogue Medford School District, and a licensed boat captain. His daughter Katie shared his enthusiasm for boating as an employee of Hampton Watercraft and Marine, and his love for baseball by becoming an accomplished softball player in both high school and college. Most recently, Salomone spent summers teaching his grandchildren the love of sports, boating, and swimming.
His greatest joy was the life that he shared with his wife, Kathy, his family said. They were inseparable as they complimented and supported each other both personally and professionally.
He was predeceased by his parents, Francis and J. Marie (Cleary) Salomone; brother, Barry Salomone; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Sam and Patricia (Cronin) Camardello; and brothers-in-law, Nick (June) and John (Patricia) Camardello, and David (Margaret) Wells.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Katherine; his children, Barry Salomone and Katie (Chris) Doscinski; his granddaughter, Josie and grandson, Edan; his sisters, Diane (Jim) Dinehart, Janet (Dwight) Dolezel, Marie (Jim) Frederick, and Beth (Joe) DiMilia; brothers-in-law, Sam (Kris) Camardello, James Camardello, Robert (Diane) Camardello, and Christopher Camardello; sisters-in-law, June (Nick) Camardello, and Margaret (David) Wells; as well as 64 nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Robertaccio Funeral Home in Center Moriches.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (mskcc.org) or Fighting Chance (fightingchance.org) would be appreciated.
Staff Writer on Jan 15, 2024