Salvatore "Sal" Pepitone, age 50, of Higganum, Connecticut, beloved husband of Silvana (Salafia) Pepitone, passed away peacefully on Thursday (November 3, 2016) at Hartford Hospital after a courageous battle with cancer. His strength and grace always present throughout.  He was surrounded by his loving family.

Sal was born in West Islip, New York, on August 31, 1966 and grew up in Madison, Connecticut. He was the son of Joseph and Elba (Salort) Pepitone of Cromwell, Connecticut.  Sal was a graduate of Xavier High School (1984) and went on to receive a B.S. in Health Fitness from Springfield College and a Physical Therapy degree from Daemen College.  Sal spent over 20 years as a physical therapist with Suburban Physical Therapy in Rocky Hill and Cromwell, Connecticut.

Sal was a star athlete in baseball and football at Xavier High School and went on to play football at Northeastern University and Springfield College. He was recognized by the Middletown Sports Hall of Fame in 2011 for his many athletic accomplishments.  Sal was an active volunteer who coached and participated as a board member in the Haddam & Killingworth Youth Sports Programs.  He enjoyed being with his countless friends and family and was particularly fond of West Dover, Vermont (Mt. Snow) where he spent time skiing with family and friends.  He treasured his travels to Italy and the Caribbean and was always ready for the next adventure.  Sal loved laughter, good food, a great bottle of wine, rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Yankees and most of all, being with his wife, Silvana as they watched their children grow.

Besides his wife, Silvana, and parents Joseph and Elba, Sal is survived by his son, Joseph Pepitone (age 13), daughter, Sofia Pepitone (age 10), sister and brother-in-law Denise (Pepitone) and Thomas Sweeney of Cromwell, Connecticut, brother and sister-in-law, Joseph and Christine Pepitone of Ellington, Connecticut, sister and brother-in-law Jo-Ann (Pepitone) and Darren Quinn of LaGrangeville, New York, father and mother-in-law, Sebastian Salafia and Carmela (Cannata) Salafia of Middletown, brother-in-law John Salafia and his wife Robin of Haddam, Connecticut and sister-in-law Enza Hofferth of Deerfield, Florida. Sal also leaves behind his beloved nephews, Sean Sweeney, Darren Quinn, Jr., Ryan Quinn, John Salafia, Robert Hofferth, Matthew Hofferth and nieces Cara Sweeney, Alicia Salafia, Alyssa Hofferth, Julia Pepitone, Kerriann Quinn, and Victoria Pepitone, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends.

His funeral Liturgy will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 8 ^th at 10 a.m. at St. Sebastian Church, 155 Washington Street, Middletown, Connecticut.  Burial will be held at St. Sebastian Cemetery, Middlefield, Connecticut.  Calling hours will be held on Monday, November 7 ^th from 4 to 8 p.m. at Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver St. Middletown, Connecticut.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pepitone Children Education Fund at Citizens Bank. Please make checks payable to:  Denise Sweeney and in the memo please indicate Pepitone Children Education Fund and mail to:  15 River Park Drive, Cromwell, CT 06416.