Salvatore J. "Sal" Ciaccio
Founder of Sal's Machine Tool Company
TEWKSBURY: Salvatore J. "Sal" Ciaccio, age 90, a resident of Tewksbury for 62 years, formerly of Medford, passed away with his family at his side, on Friday, February 27, 2015 at the Tewksbury Hospital.
He was the beloved husband of Marie E. (DiTroia) Ciaccio, who passed away on May 22, 1999.
Born in Medford on July 9, 1924, he was the son of the late Vincenzo Ciaccio and the late Florence (DeLeo) Ciaccio.
Sal was raised in Medford and attended Medford Vocational Trade School and immediately
enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 and served during World War II until 1946 with an honorable discharge. He received Amphibious Training in Fort Pierce and then served in US Nav. Group, China. He was part of the Third Navy's Scouts and Raiders group, which were the precursors of today's Navy Seals. The Third Scout and Raiders organization deployed to fight with the Sino-American Cooperative Organization (SACO) in China. Admiral Ernest J. King ordered that 120 officers and 900 enlisted sailors be trained for "Amphibious Raider" at the Scout and Raider school at Fort Pierce, Florida in order to support this mission. They formed the core of what was envisioned as a "guerrilla amphibious organization of Americans and Chinese operating from coastal waters, lakes and rivers employing small steamboats and sampans." Elements of the Third Scouts and Raiders saw active service conducting surveys of the upper Yangtze River in the spring of 1945 and, disguised as coolies, conducting a detailed three-month survey of the Chinese coast from Shanghai to Kitchioh Wan, near Hong Kong. The majority of the force remained garrisoned at Camp Knox in Calcutta, India. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, the American Theatre Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.
After many years working as a machinist and then a field service engineer for Hebert Machine, he founded Sal's Machine Tool Company in Tewksbury, which he operated for 15 years.
Sal served on the Board of Trustees at the Tewksbury Hospital for over 20 years, and was a longtime member of the Tewksbury Lions Club.
An avid golfer, Sal was a member of the Long Meadow Golf Club. In addition, he was a member of the "Fire Eaters" bowling team at the former Wamesit Bowling Alley.
Sal and his late wife Marie, enjoyed traveling to Jupiter, Florida and spending time at Lake Winnipesaukee at Sandy Point in Alton Bay. He looked forward to attending the annual reunions of SACO members throughout the country.
He is survived by three children, Linda M. Traub and her husband Stephen of Newburyport, James A. Ciaccio and his wife Susan (Deacon) of Tewksbury and Stephen M. Ciaccio and his wife Karen (Fitzsimmons) of Nashua, NH; six grandchildren, Kimberly A. Hawkins of Concord, NH, Meredith E. Gertz and her husband Anthony of Nashua, NH, Stacey L. Lawrie of Haverhill, Jonathan D. Lawrie and his wife Molly (Baker) of Wilton, NH, Gina A. Ciaccio of Tewksbury and Anthony J. Ciaccio and his wife Jessica (Joubert) of Lowell; seven great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his wife’s siblings and family.
Sal was the brother of the late Pauline Fernandez.
Calling hours are Tuesday, March 3rd, from 4-8 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. His funeral will be held Wednesday, March 4th, at 9 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by his Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at St. William's Church, 1351 Main St., Rte. 38, Tewksbury. Interment at Tewksbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Sal's memory may be made to the Patients Fund at Tewksbury Hospital, 365 East St. Tewksbury, MA 01876