Gloria Renee Salvaggio passed away at Advent Health Hospital in Ocala, FL on Thursday, August 29, 2024, following a short illness. Her husband and brother were by her side.
Gloria was born on December 10, 1942, in the Bronx, to Harry and Jeannette Lewis, who owned a venetian blinds and glazier business. As a young teenager, Gloria helped answer phones for the business and took care of her younger siblings, Barbara and Mark. She was often responsible for preparing the family’s meals, sparking her gift as a magnificent cook and baker.Gloria carried her culinary and organizational skills throughout her life, nourishing her family, friends, and community with lovingly prepared food. She was also an excellent student, known to be a math whiz. As a matter of fact, Gloria skipped a grade in school and entered Cortland College at just 16 years old.
After attending college for a year, Gloria decided to attend secretarial school, where she met the person who would become her lifelong closest friend, Camille Mondazzi. Gloria worked as a secretary in the newly opened PanAm building in Manhattan, which was the largest commercial office building in the world at the time.
For most of her career, she worked in the Welfare Department of the City of New York as a supervisor and personnel trainer. At one point she supervised what was known as “Group Nine” and, as a way to motivate them to do their best work, would gather them together after work on Friday and they would all go out for dinner. Or she would bake them brownies! Gloria also worked in the Income Tax Office and as a travel agent, which grew out of her penchant for organizing cruises and tours for her church community and friends.
On August 18, 1974, Gloria met the love of her life when she happened to be gathering with some friends on a street corner in Co-op City in the Bronx. Along came Charles Salvaggio, who just happened to be walking that way with a friend who was going to that gathering. One of Gloria’s friends later told her: “That guy Charles likes you.” And sure enough, Charles had asked his friend for Gloria’s number. One of their first memorable dates was a stroll through the Bronx Botanical Gardens.
Gloria and Charles were married in June of 1977 and lived in Co-op City for over 25 years. They were avid patrons of the arts, attending cultural events such as museums, theater, and concerts when they weren’t off traveling the world! They loved entertaining friends and family, hosting annual Thanksgiving dinners where everyone was always welcome. Gloria and Charles shared a deep spiritual bond that grew throughout their marriage and led them to be active participants in their church and community.
In 2008, Gloria and Charles fulfilled their dream of retiring to Florida. They carefully chose a beautiful community, Stone Creek in Ocala, where they soon developed deep connections to new friends and the community there. Gloria was active in many of the clubs, serving as past president of The Culture Vultures, assisting with dinners for the Shalom Club and the Culinary Arts Club, and helping out with the Pet and Animal Lovers (PALS) club. And it was in Ocala that they adopted their two adorable Havanese, Coco and Skye.
Gloria will be greatly missed by all who loved her and benefited from her generous and loving spirit, beautiful smile, and clearly superb cooking. Gloria always showed up for her loved ones, never missing a school play, sports event or graduation. She celebrated life and those she loved to the fullest.
Gloria is survived by her loving husband, Charles; her sister Barbara (Norman) Spector; her brother Mark (Elaine) Lewis; nieces Shira (Jeffrey), Shoshana, Deneen, Donna, and Dawn and nephews Dylan (Mariana) and Samuel; seven grand-nieces and nephews; her dear friend Camille and her children Jonpaul (Mary), Anna (Rob), Robert (Eva), Godson Michael and their families, whom Gloria loved like her own.
Calling hours will be on Wednesday, September 4th, 4-7 pm at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Home’s TIMBERRIDGE location on 9695 SW 110th Street, Ocala