Salvatore Librizzi passed peacefully April 9, 2022. He is survived by his daughter Nina Riccio of Little Silver and her spouse Ronald; his son Salvatore of Manasquan and his spouse Eva; his son Joseph of Howell and his spouse Maryann; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, Antonina and Giuseppe; his spouse of 67 years, Francesca; and his nine siblings.
Sal was born Oct. 4, 1918, in Capo d’Orlando, a small town in Sicily. He spent his earliest years playing soccer, swimming in the Mediterranean, picking lemons and learning from his mother how to cook uniquely Sicilian food. At age 12 he became a barber.
In 1936 he emigrated to America and settled with his parents and siblings in downtown Jersey City. He worked at a barber shop and at his father’s produce store where he became skilled at selecting fruits and vegetables, especially cantaloupe and watermelons. He soon became known as “Sal The Barber.”
Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor Sal joined the Army. Six months later he became an American citizen. During World War II he served in both the European and Pacific theaters. After the war he returned to Jersey City and resumed his work as a barber and helper at the produce store.
In 1948 he met the love of his life, Francesca Carpenito, at a Jersey City church dance. It was love at first sight. They were married a few months after they met. For the next 55 years Sal and his brother Domenic operated Librizzi’s Barber Shop on the corner of Ege and West Side in Jersey City. Their shop was a gathering place for persons from all walks of life. Discussions at the shop were always lively, especially when it came to sports. Of course, Joe DiMaggio was a god. No one was permitted to ever say a bad word about “Joe D.” The same was true for “Yogi” and the “Scooter.”
Sal was always the best-looking person, no matter the gathering. He was as handsome as Caesar Romero. He was an avid Yankees fan and enjoyed crabbing with his brothers. He played the lottery and the numbers every day, always promising to share his expected big hit with his children. They’re still waiting. He also liked the ponies. On his 100th birthday he lamented that he could no longer bet his age as a daily-double combination.
Sal loved to cook. His meatballs were incomparable and his recipe has been passed on to the lucky ones.
Sal’s long life has been one filled with love. He loved his family. He loved his friends. He loved his God. And he loved his country. When he sang “God Bless America” it wasn’t in the best of English, but no one sang the words with more feeling. He was proud to be an Italian American.
Sal was admired and respected by everyone who knew him. Emerson’s words aptly describe Sal’s life: He “laughed often and much” and enjoyed the “respect of intelligent people and the affection of children.” Because he lived, every person whose life he touched was made better.
Family and friends visited April 12 at the John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. A Funeral Mass was held April 13 at St. James RC Church, Red Bank, followed by entombment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Middletown.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Salvatore’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.
Memories and condolences may be shared at johnedayfuneralhome.com.
The article originally appeared in the April 14 – 20, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
