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Big Smile: Albert DiSalvo pictured here during his earlier years.

Di Salvo's mourns loss of their patriarch

By Lynn Crocker

On April 10, 91-year-old Louis Albert Di Salvo's large extended family mourned the loss of their patriarch, who by all accounts was a man of extreme conviction, generosity, honesty and compassion.

He was a devoted family man who loved and supported all members of his family regardless of whether they were related to him through blood or marriage.

"All of his children and grandchildren, including those who came to him by way of marriage, held a special place in his heart," said Dr. Ayleen Augustine, who has been married to grandson David Di Salvo for 20 years. "I was very honored that he was a part of my life. He took great pride in the things that involved me, and at times during my education when the workload became difficult, he was always there encouraging me."

According to Augustine, his support for others didn't stop with family.

"He wanted to help people reach their potential and always pushed people to reach beyond any barrier that they thought they had," Augustine said. "His love for his family, friends and neighbors radiated from him."

A socially conscious man, Louis Di Salvo looked after neighbors during the Depression, and although he served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, he ran for the U.S Senate as an anti-war candidate during the height of the Vietnam War in 1970.

"He paid $50,000 out of his own pocket to have a platform for his views," son Joseph Di Salvo said.

Louis Di Salvo also expressed opinions about the war in Iraq, telling his family he thought the United Stated needed an early-exit strategy.

"Grandpa was a man who would actually step up and put himself out there to stand up for his beliefs. He was well-read on issues and always looking to expand his knowledge," Augustine said. "A couple of the things that he was most outspoken about were politics and his views on life, but he was always willing to listen to another point of view."

Louis Di Salvo was born on Feb. 15, 1915 in Hackensack, N.J. In 1920, the family settled in San Jose. He attended Sacred Heart School and Bellarmine College Preparatory, where he graduated in 1933. Two years later he married Frances Giuffré, his 16-year-old sweetheart, and the couple enjoyed 70 years of marriage.

"You could see his love for Grandma every time he looked at her," Augustine said. "He would get this look on his face as if he was seeing her for the first time."

The couple worked side by side at Fortune Realty for 60 years, and in 1962 moved themselves and their four boys into a four-bedroom home on a quarter-acre near Dry Creek Road. Di Salvo lived in the house, which he called his castle, until his death.

Oldest son Jerry Di Salvo is grateful to his father for instilling in him the importance of being honest and treating others fairly.

"He was a great teacher to all of us," said Jerry Di Salvo. "He didn't tell us to act a certain way, but led by example. I remember him sitting in his office on N. First Street, and someone was putting pressure on him to do something he wasn't comfortable with. He was stewing over it, and finally he said, 'Jerry, I am not going to do it, I don't care how much it costs me.' Through him I learned that if you are honest and fair, you will be fine."

Jerry Di Salvo also learned from his father about the importance of family time.

"We always sat down and had dinner as a family. This gave everyone a chance to talk about their day," Jerry said. "This is something I did with my kids, and I see they are doing it with their families, too. It's a generational thing that was passed down by him."

Louis Di Salvo had four sons, six grandsons, four granddaughters, 18 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson.

"He was a phenomenal man, and it was difficult to see him pass. But at the same time he led a life that only few can imagine because he was someone who always gave to others," Augustine said.