Sam Scali

Noted custom tailor

Salvatore (Sam) Scali, 86, formerly of Staten Island, N.Y., died on March 23, 2016.

Mr. Scali was a very successful and well-respected custom tailor who learned his craft from his older brother, Vincent (James) Scali, where he apprenticed at Scali-Balletta Tailors on East 52nd Street in N.Y.C. He later became partners with his brother at Scali Tailors and upon his brother's death, formed his own tailoring business known as 'Scali.'

His clients included many well-known people in business and industry as well as those in the entertainment field. In addition to his tailoring, he was also a very talented painter, woodworker and photographer, winning several local and national awards for his photos. He was former president of the Staten Island Color Slide Photography Club.

Mr. Scali was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., years after his mother, Rosa Marie, and father, Filipo, and three siblings (Vincent, Anthony and Teresa) emigrated from Calabria, Italy. He was the only one of his siblings to be born in America. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and has remained active in veterans organizations near his residence in Ferndale, N.Y., where he moved with his wife, Sylvia, in 2002 from his prior residence in Dongan Hills, S.I.

Mr. Scali was predeceased by his parents and siblings. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sylvia (nee Baldari); three daughters, Laura Scali Finn, Jeanette Verhey and Carolanne Reho, and their husbands, Anthony Finn, Joseph Verhey and James Reho. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Zachary Finn, Trevor Finn and Sean Verhey, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. Mr. Scali was a dog and cat lover, having many pets over the years that were often subjects of his photography work.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, March 25, 2016, at Harmon Funeral Home, 571 Forest Ave., Staten Island, N.Y. 10310. Burial service will commence at the funeral home on Saturday, March 26, at 10 a.m., followed by burial at 11:30 a.m. at Oceanview Cemetery at 3315 Amboy Road, Staten Island, N.Y. 10306. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 23, at 11 a.m. at the Church of St. Andrew at 40 Old Mill Road, Staten Island, N.Y. 10306.

Harmon Funeral Home

571 Forest Ave.

Staten Island, NY 10310

(718) 442-5056

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Published in Staten Island Advance on Mar. 25, 2016

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