Salvatore Pusatere, 85, of Catskill passed away peacefully on April 9, 2026.

Born in 1940 to the late Salvatore and Josephine Vergoni Pusatere.

His father was a produce/banana dealer and Sal grew up cutting and packing them from a young age. Those early experiences stayed with him throughout his life, along with the rhythm of the Banana Boat Song by Harry Belafonte “six foot, seven foot, eight foot bunch…  daylight come and he wanna go home.”

He graduated in 1958 from Columbia High School in East Greenbush, NY, and soon after enlisted in the United States Army, where he proudly served as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. While he was a Vietnam-era veteran, he was very fortunate to have been fully discharged in 1964, before his unit deployed to Vietnam, where it later suffered horrific casualties.

During his time in the Airborne, he met and married his first wonderful wife, Betty Jean Freeman of Kannapolis, NC, who was well known for her exceptional baking. Together, they had a talented son, San Darneth.  San was blessed with two children, Anthony and James, and through them, Sal was given the joy of five great-grandchildren.

Throughout his life, Sal always held two jobs, and the years from 1961 to 1966 were no exception. During that time, he worked as a maintenance man, gas jockey, construction laborer, and factory worker. In late 1966, he began what would become his lifelong career. He and his coworkers were known as “America’s Traveling Tramps” (AT&T), a nickname they carried with pride. Together, they performed non-located outside plant engineering, construction, and right-of-way work across 15 states. Through their efforts, they helped build the nation’s telephone network. It was a position he considered the best he could have had and work he truly loved. He remained there until his retirement in 2002.

While traveling for work, he met his second wonderful wife, Angel C. Opdyke of Flemington, NJ, a master quilter. Together, they rebuilt and operated the Glengarriff Boarding House in Leeds, NY, for 17 years. From this union, they had a daughter, Katelyn Mary. She met her husband Rob Whitney and in 2020, Sal became a proud grandfather again to Jaxson Ward, a true ball of fire.

Over the years, Sal ran jobs and directed crews in all aspects of telephone work, including troubleshooting and emergency repairs. It was there that he became the infamous “cob job artist,” known for his ability to fix anything, with nothing.

As life moved on, he became active in Post 110 of the American Legion in Catskill, NY, where he had the honor of serving as Post Commander three times, over the past fourteen years.

In the later years of his life, he met the very talented author and artist, June Kelley Pierce, another wonderful woman he adored.  Sadly, she passed away in December of 2024.

Sal lived a full and meaningful life. He adored his children and the women he loved, drove fast cars for thousands of miles, found peace hiking alone in the mountains, and even saved a few lives along the way, including his own!

Survived by his beloved daughter Katelyn (Rob) Whitney; grandsons Jaxson Ward, Anthony Pusatere and James Pusatere; five great grandchildren; brother Richard Pusatere; as well as extended family and dear friends.

He is predeceased by his parents; brother Paul Pusatere; first wife Betty Jean Freeman; son San Pusatere; and second wife Angel C. Opdyke.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, April 16 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Traver & McCurry Funeral Home, 234 Jefferson Heights, Catskill. At Sal’s request, a time of sharing will begin at 12 p.m. Graveside service with military honors will be conducted on Friday, April 17 at 1 p.m. at Town of Catskill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Honeyford Memorial American Legion Post 110, PO Box 279, Leeds, NY, 12451.

Sal said it best: “In short, I have had a great life. I take this opportunity to thank all the people who made it possible for me to accomplish all that I have. I am saddened to leave it behind, but my life has run its course. Remember the good times, my smiles and laughter, and know that I held life dear. Most importantly, keep the faith, and God bless you all.”

Messages of condolence may be made to TraverMc.com. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Breanna Lennon DelVecchio and Robert Gaus of Traver & McCurry Funeral Home.

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