Louis John Salanitro

August 20, 1927 - March 20, 2022

Louis John Salanitro, 94, lifelong resident of Bloomfield, NJ died peacefully at home on March 20, 2022. Louis graduated from Bloomfield High School, Columbia College, Columbia University and received his MD degree from the University of Rome, Italy. Dr. Salanitro interned at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Patterson, NJ and completed a Fellowship at Rusk Rehabilitation New York University Medical Center in New York. Louis was a gifted concert pianist, having been awarded the Julliard School’s Gordon Stanley Piano Scholarship. He was also an accomplished college varsity fencer, winning the gold medal at the Metropolitan Interscholastic Fencing Championship. At heart a teacher, he taught Biology, Science, History and English at the University of Okinawa and the American High School for U.S. Dependents. He also organized and directed the A.E.P School in Japan. For many years, he taught English and Italian at Bastianoni School in Rome, Italy. Louis was a member of Columbia College Alumni Association, Rome English Teachers’ Association, Japanese Institute and Goethe Institute. Louis also proudly served in the US Army. Known as Gigi to his friends and family, he will be missed for his warmth, generosity and consuming interest for all things Italian. Louis is survived by his two beloved sisters Marian Russo and Dr. Angela Salanitro Bellizzi, her husband Dr. Frank Bellizzi, nieces Angela Burgess (Neil) and Dr. Marian Russo Liberatore (Joseph), nephews Dr. Frank Bellizzi, Jr. (Allison), Raphael Russo, Jr. (Cynthia), three grandnieces Savannah Russo, Grace Liberatore, Julia Burgess and three grandnephews Raphael Russo III, Joseph Liberatore, Jr., Henry Burgess. Louis was predeceased by his parents Alfred and Amelia Salanitro and brother in law Dr. Raphael Russo. Visitation is Saturday, March 26, 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM at Van Tassel Funeral Home, 337 Belleville Ave, Bloomfield, NJ. Funeral Mass is Saturday March 26 at 10:00 AM at St. Thomas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church in Bloomfield, NJ, followed by Interment at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Montclair, NJ. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Bloomfield Public Library https://www.bplnj.org/support. Condolences www.vantasselfuneralhome.com