Saratoga Springs, NY - John J. Salerno, age 87 passed away, Thursday Nov 19, 2009 at Saratoga Hospital, after a short illness. He was born, November 2, 1922, in New York City, the youngest son of thirteen children of the late Maria Verderosa and Raffaele Salerno. He graduated from Roosevelt High School, Bronx N.Y. and served in the United States Marine Corp. from April 18, 1942 - April 17, 1946 as a corporal. In 1945- he married Doris Gertrude Gilliland and together they had 2 children, Susan and Diane. After his Military Service he attended a culinary apprenticeship at the Plaza Hotel, under Conrad Hilton from 1946-1952. His career as a chef spanned over 30 years, during which he worked as a traveling chef for ARA Mark Food Services Corporation and a salesman for Woodhaven Foods located in Philadelphia. At the top of his sales career he peaked at a quarter million dollars a week, receiving an award for top sales in one quarter. He also catered for many celebrities including: Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner, President George Bush Senior, Queen Elizabeth of England and Prince Phillip. John was also a popular singer & comedian, performing at night clubs in New York City & the Catskills, with many famous head liners of the time, such as, Jackie Gleason, Rodney Dangerfield, and Frank Fontaine. In 1999 John decided it was time to retire, and moved from Rockland County to Malta, New York, where he spent the remainder of his life with his companion, best friend and love of his life, Doris Pettit. Not one for sitting around, John decided to go back to work shortly after retiring. He began working for Hannaford at Latham Farms as a dining expert from 2001-2009, and spent many summers working at the Saratoga Race Course with Service America. Here he helped make the morning workouts and breakfast a little extra special by performing with, The Red Hot Feet Warmers, a local jazz band. John also entertained private parties and general visitors during the Saratoga Race Track season by performing impromptu songs. During the week you would most likely find John attending one of his grandsons baseball games or performing at one of the local retirement centers. According to John, these were some of his fondest memories! John was predeceased by his twelve siblings, his wife Doris Gilliland and his parents Maria Verderosa and Raffaele Salerno. He is survived by his companion Doris Elizabeth Ann Pettit. Daughters: Susan Welsh and husband Vincent, of Clayton, North Carolina; Diane Burket and husband Christopher of Centerville, Virginia; Patricia Kolberg and husband John, of Ballston Spa, New York; Pamela Sartin of Greenfield Center and fiance Jody Threw. Grandchildren: Elizabeth Kate Welsh of Clayton, North Carolina; Kelly Morgan Burkett and Michael Jared Burkett, of Centerville, Virginia; Derek John Kolberg, Jose (Joey) Carlos Sartin, and Jordan Joseph Sartin, all of Ballston Spa, New York. As well as many nieces and nephews scattered throughout the country. Relatives and friends may call from 11 to 1pm Monday, Nov. 23, 2009 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (584-5373). Funeral services will follow at 1pm at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will be at 2:30pm at the Gerald BH Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Duell Rd. Schuylerville. To honor Johns memory, donations may be made to Malta Ambulance Corporation or Saint Marys School, Ballston Spa. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.