Salatino,

Mr. Louis (Salty) Salatino, age 79 years, a resident of Thunder Bay, passed away in St. Joseph's Hospital, on Friday, April 18, 2008. Lou was born in Fort William on December 17, 1928 to Michele and Luigina Salatino. He was educated in Fort William and married Evelyn Levesque on September 17, 1952. Sports was in Lou's blood, from cheering on the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New York Yankees however hockey was his main interest. Lou started coaching hockey in 1952 and refereeing from 1956 until the early 1970's. Administration was where Lou helped to improve the game of hockey. He was president of Fort William Minor Hockey from 1966 to 1976 moving on to the Thunder Bay Amateur Hockey Association where he held many positions from Referee-in-Chief, Senior Hockey Convenor and President from 1989 to 1995. As president of TBAHA he also served as Board of Director of Canadian Amateur Hockey Association. Lou also worked with the Hockey Development Centre of Ontario where he held many positions from Chair of the Under 17 Program to being Chairman up to his passing.During his involvement Lou received many awards including, the Louis Matarazzo Memorial Humanitarian Award 1979-80, Canadian Hockey Association "Minor Hockey Week" Award 1982, Life Member of Thunder Bay Minor Hockey Association 1983, City of Thunder Bay Citizens Achievement Award 1992, Canadian Hockey Association "Volunteer of the year" Award 1993, Thunder Bay's Silver Achievement Award 1995, Life Member of Thunder Bay Amateur Hockey Association 1997, Hockey Northwestern Ontario "T.B. "Bones" McCormick Meritorious Award" 1999, Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in the Builder's Category 1999, "George Rowe Memorial Senior Sportsman Award 2000, Syl Apps Special Achievement Award 2002 and Hockey Canada Order of Merit 2008. Lou was a member of the Elk's Lodge 82, board member of Northwestern Ontario Sport Hall of Fame and a life member of Italian Society Principe de Piemonte. Lou is survived by his wife of 55 years Evelyn, children Phillip (Daniela), Marc (Diane) of Atlanta, Georgia (here), Michael (Kelly), Wayne (Tammy), Andrew (Patricia) of Calgary, Alberta (here) Andrea Grzelewski (Michael). Lou is also survived by his 15 grandchildren, Bradley, Laura, Melanie, Jennifer, Ashley, Jeffery, Ryan, Travis, Matthew, Kristen, Nicole, Natalie, Lindsay, Scott and Zachary. Lou took great pride in his family especially watching his children and all grandchildren participate in a variety of sporting activities. Also survived by his brother Alfred (Myrtle), sister Mary Boress plus numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents, brothers, Anthony, Carmen, sisters Dora, Rita, Ermenia. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 when family and friends will gather for the Funeral Mass in St. Dominic's Church at 10:00 a.m. celebrated by Rev. Daniel Lapolla c.s. Interment will follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery. Vigil prayers will be offered on Monday evening at 8:00 p.m. in St. Dominic's Church. If friends so desire, memorials to St. Joseph's Foundation would be greatly appreciated. A tree will be planted in memory of Louis Salatino in the Blake Funeral Chapel Memorial Grove. Annual dedication service Sunday, June 28, 2009. On-line Condolences may be sent to www.blakefuneralchapel.com