Honor Sam Grieco’s 100th Birthday

1919, Salvatore "Sam" Grieco graduated from Rome Free Academy in 1937; and WHEREAS, As a child, Salvatore Grieco tried to keep himself out of trouble by selling newspapers; one of his customers, who owned a taxi business, hired young Sam to answer telephones, paying him three dollars a week which he gave to his mother; in return, she would give him a quarter to keep; and WHEREAS, Growing up in Rome, Salvatore Grieco remembers when Black River Boulevard was Black River Canal and when the trolley cars traveled along Dominick Street and up Floyd Avenue; he also recalls when downtown Rome was filled with businesses such as Nelson's, Woolworth's, Kresge's, Carl's Drug Store and The Strand Theater; and WHEREAS, Salvatore Grieco and the former Hazel Jones were united in marriage in 1939, and together they raised four children; the couple spent 69 wonderful years together until Hazel's death in 2008; and WHEREAS, This extraordinary man started the Liberty Street Market in the early 1940s, in a home he purchased near the corner of North Madison and West Liberty streets; after World War II he went to work at General Cable, where business was booming; and WHEREAS, Salvatore Grieco spent 28 years working for Loblaw's grocery store in Rome, Elmira and Whitesboro, retiring in 1975, at the age of 56, due to the stress of the job; he went on to work in the financial department at Vernon Downs for 22 years before retiring for good; and WHEREAS, Today, Salvatore Grieco is the proud father of four children, Lorraine, Thomas, Barbara and Diane, and the loving grandfather of 13 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren; and WHEREAS, This beloved man has enriched the lives of those around him through his joyous and sincere love for others and through the quiescent charm and wisdom which comes only from a fullness of years; and WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly recognize those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have witnessed and celebrated the innovations, cultural developments and awesome achievements of this country during the last century, while themselves contributing to the growth and excellence of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to congratulate Salvatore Grieco upon the occasion of celebrating his 100th Birthday; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Salvatore Grieco.