Obituary
Memorial Services for Mr. Salvatore T. Azzarelli, Jr., age 63 who passed away on April 1, 2016 will be on Saturday June 11, at 4:30pm at True Bethel Church located at 907 East Ferry Street, Buffalo, NY 14211. He was a giant in the Hammond organ community,nationally known for his incredible knowledge. There will be a celebration of life later that day for friends and family at 7:00pm at Tralf Music Hall at 622 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202 . Sal is survived by his wife, Claudia Lewis, two step-children, Erica Malinowski and Adam Malinowski, and two children of his heart, Melissa Todd, and William Todd. Also many cousins and dear friends. Sal is preceded in death by his parents, Salvatore T. Azzarelli, Sr. and Mary Azzarelli. He will be deeply missed.
My relationship with Sal started as a strictly business relationship. Our personal relationship grew gradually since he started to do some customized work on one of my Hammond organs. That started in 2001 as we watched and listed to the horrors of 911 together. Sal was the only Technician that could do the specialized worked that I wanted. Sal was the greatest, and he knew it. As the now late great Mohammed Ali once said, "it's not bragging, if you can back it up". Sal certainly backed it up. He also was very trustworthy on honest in all of our financial dealings. He wanted to be sure that his pricing was viewed as fair, which it always was.
We are going to miss the dinners that Sal joined us for and the lunches at Ted's Hot Dogs, along of course with his colorful conversations.
Sal, shared with us when he was admitted for his hospital stays. I believe it was in part because he knew that he could count on our prayers for a speedy recovery. He was appreciative of our prayer offering for him, which we were happy for. He believed that a higher power was overseeing our lives.
Thank you "Claude" for arranging this Memorial Service and for the Celebration of Life at the Tralf Music Hall. I know that Sal would approve. (He is probably checking the equipment over right now.) What a great way to bring Sal's friends and family together and help his legacy to live on.
May these past friendships and new friendships serve to also unite and ignite the passion of the saving Christ in all of our lives in memory of Sal's life. A life well lived.
Fred & Renee Abbott
We joined up with the "Hard Times" band and played many gigs together and In later years, we spent time with each other working on several B3's...
I always looked forward to the annual Christmas parties over the years too! What fun we had!!
Sal was amazing in so many ways...Sadly, he is no longer with us, but he will forever remain in my thoughts and prayers.
Sal and me watching Joey Defrancesco at a gig in Columbus, OH. Sal was the tech on the gig, an organ summit with Joey and my good friend and colleague. Tony Monaco
A tribute to my Hammond tech and friend, Sal who I knew for 15 years and helped me to launch my jazz organ career by repairing my childhood Hammond and refurbishing two Hammonds I found through very unusual circumstances.
1463291453A tribute to my Hammond tech and friend, Sal who I knew for 15 years and helped me to launch my jazz organ career by repairing my childhood Hammond and refurbishing two Hammonds I found through very unusual circumstances.
1463288338Sal checking Joey D's organ before his first jam with Jimmy Smith. Oct, 28, 1999, San Francisco
A humorous remembrance of Sal
1463032115RIP Sal we love ya bro!
JD
May you fix all of the Lord's organs and speakers and play beautiful music with an Angelic Choir to back you! I'll miss you my good friend....Until we meet again one day!
God Bless you!
-John