John P. Salamone Foundation to Donate $35K to West Essex

When North Caldwell resident John P. Salamone died in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, he left behind many friends and family members who deeply grieved his loss. In order to work through this grief, his father, Benedict "Bud" Salamone—along with his friends and John's friends—established the John P. Salamone Memorial Foundation.

"I wanted to honor his life as a father, son, brother, and friend," Bud Salamone told Patch this week. 

For many years, this philanthropic organization has awarded scholarships to students at where Salamone graduated from in 1986. 

In a continuing effort to give back to the community, the foundation will present the West Essex School District with a check for $35,000 for the establishment of a new computer lab in the high school. Greg Vassallo, a fellow alumni of West Essex and a trustee of the organization, will present the check to West Essex at the next Board of Education meeting on Monday, May 23.

Vassallo said the foundation had previously helped fund a computer lab at Adlai E. Stevenson School in Fairfield, where John Salamone and Vassallo attended elementary school. 

When the trustees approached the school district, it turned out a computer lab is also what the high school needed. "We were fortunate to raise the money and the timing was perfect," Vassallo said.

Once the computer lab is completed, it will be dedicated to Salamone. "It's a great way to honor John as a good friend," Vassallo said.

As for the annual scholarships, they are awarded to a male and female senior soccer player who best exemplify what John stood for.

While at West Essex, Salamone was a three-year Varsity Letter winner in soccer.  He was captain of his college team at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, where a scholarship has also been established in his honor.

In 2002, the soccer field at Oglethorpe was renamed the John P. Salamone Memorial Field, and he was inducted posthumously into Oglethorpe's Sports Hall of Fame. An annual alumni soccer tournament was also renamed in his honor with proceeds used to help fund scholarships.

In addition to Oglethorpe, the foundation also rewards scholarships to students at Niagra University, where both Benedict Salamone and John P. Salamone Memorial Foundation trustee Joe Trapani attended.

To raise funds, the foundation hosts an annual golf outing and receives donations. Trapani explained that, through the support of an anonymous donor, the foundation has been memorialized and will continue to support education and local students.

"We have a core of repeat donors, due to the fact we do work right in the community. When people give, it goes right back to them," Trapani said.