Salvator “Sal” Finelli, longtime Pound Ridge resident, veteran, was 97

Salvator “Sal” Finelli

Sal Finelli of Pound Ridge, 97, died May 26, Memorial Day, with his daughters by his side.

Finelli was born to the late Angelina Polcini and Joseph Finelli on Dec. 6, 1927, in the Bronx, and grew up  in Mamaroneck. As a teenager, his family moved to Bethlehem, Conn., for several years. The youngest of five children, Sal was predeceased by two sisters, Louise Molassi and Lillian Finelli, and two brothers, Damon Finelli and Dr. Alphonse Finelli.

He attended Iona College in New Rochelle. He enlisted in the Air National Guard and the Marines Corps, serving in Newfoundland, Canada.

He married Linda Ambrosiano, in 1951, in Bronxville, and they raised their family in Pound Ridge. They were married almost 73 years before she died nine months ago.

After an early career in sales, Finelli founded two successful printing companies, County Reproductions in Stamford, Conn., and Academy Reproduction in White Plains, in 1957. He served as CEO until 2001, when he sold his company to Merritt Graphics. 

He enjoyed boating, fishing, and was an avid Yankee fan, but most of all, his family said, he loved nurturing the beautiful landscaping and breathtaking Japanese Gardens that he created over the years. 

Sal is survived by his daughters, Laurinda Finelli of Old Greenwich, and Kathryn Finelli of Pound Ridge, as well as many nieces and nephews.

“Sal left this life as he lived it … with pride, dignity, class, humility and most of all, humor,” his family said.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, June 7, at 11 a.m., at Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, located at 10 West Stevens Ave., Hawthorne.