Salvatore Carpenteri

Old Lyme — Surrounded with love, family and friends, Salvatore J. Carpenteri passed away on Monday, April 9, 2018.

Sal was born in Hartford on March 6, 1929. Moving to Niantic in the 1970s, he founded the Lyme Tavern which he ran for 37 years. He started out with little, but with determination, a gift for conversation and love of people, he made the Lyme Tavern what it is today. Not content with retirement, he went on to open the Rustic Café in East Lyme.

Sal is survived by his wife of 25 years, Judith Carpenteri. He is also survived by his daughters, Deborah (Carpenteri) Morris and her husband, Richard and Tara Russell and her husband, David; sons, Steven Carpenteri and wife, Rebecca, Richard Carpenteri and Anthony Paruszewski and his wife, Erin; grandchildren, Brittani Morris-Kane and husband, Matthew, Dayne Steele, Christopher Carpenteri, Trey and Grant Russell and Ava and Elle Paruszewski; great-grandson, Maddox Kane; younger sister, Delores Stefano; and his dear friend, Emmett Douglas.

Sal was predeceased by wives, Constance Carpenteri and Patricia O’Donnell-Carpenteri; and granddaughter, Kelly Ann Carpenteri.

Sal had a zest for life and lived it to its fullest, and like the Frank Sinatra song, “did it his way.” He took cues from no one and had a spirit and look all his own. He truly came alive when he was behind the bar and talking sports or politics. He loved to travel but especially to Las Vegas and Aruba where he enjoyed the sun and casinos.

To know Sal is to love Sal. He will be truly missed.

Please join the family for a celebration of Sal’s life from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 16, 2018, at the Lyme Tavern, 229 W. Main St., Niantic.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Center for Hospice Care Southeastern Connecticut, 227 Dunham St., Norwich, CT 06360.