By Carrie Byrne Putelo
During the early days of the COVID pandemic, my son reached out to Jimmy John’s to ask about a discount for a hospital fundraiser. Sal gave the meals for free. As I began working on this tribute, I quickly learned this kind of generosity wasn’t unusual—it was just Sal. Again and again, people described a man who showed up for others—not for recognition, but because helping was simply who he was.
This is a celebration of that legacy.
A Heart Like No Other
To describe Sal to someone who never met him? “The funniest guy in town,” his wife, Enessa, shared. “You couldn’t want a better friend.”
Sal’s heart belonged to his family. He was a devoted husband to Enessa, his partner in life and laughter for 19 years. A proud stepfather to Nikki and Mike, and a loving dad to Bella, the light of his life. Their late-night ice cream runs weren’t just about dessert—they were moments of connection. “He gave so much of his heart,” Enessa said. “Maybe that’s why it gave out—he gave it away to all of us.”
Bella Raspante—“Beanzie,” as he called her—was Sal’s world. “To be his daughter is to be the most prided, supported, loved, and spoiled,” Bella said. “Even in chaos, I could count on my dad.” Whether it was blasting music on the way to school, spontaneous runs to Dick’s or the gas station, or texting her each morning just to check in, Sal made everyday moments special. “Everyone says I was his pride and joy—but little did he know, he was mine.”
There was never a dull moment when she rode in his truck—his second great love after sneakers. “He treated the roads like racetracks,” Bella said. “His need for speed was one I’ll never forget.” Still, she always felt safe, cared for, and seen.
Even now, she finds comfort knowing his spirit lives on. “There’s not just one word to describe my dad. He was passionate, unforgettable, genuine, and loud—in the best way. And while I don’t know what tomorrow brings, I know this much: Tonight, we ride.”
As a lasting tribute, his niece and nephew, Emily and Dominic Corelli, named their daughter Meadow Salvatrice Corelli—born just four months after his passing. The name, revealed at the baby shower, brought the family to tears. Salvatrice was chosen in his honor—a testament to the love he inspired.
“If Sal loved you, there was nothing he wouldn’t do,” said his sister, Jackie. That love showed up in action. He’d pull strangers from snowbanks or plow someone’s driveway without asking. “He loved that truck almost as much as he loved us,” Enessa laughed. “It was his pride and joy—he had to get a new one every two years.”
Sal wasn’t just generous—he was electric. He lit up every room with jokes, music, and dancing. “He was the life of the party,” Jackie said. “You’d hear, ‘Tonight we ride!’—and it was on.”
Fueled by Generosity
Sal’s generosity extended far beyond family. His work with Felix Labella to feed the homeless showed how quietly and consistently he gave.
Three and a half years ago, Felix Labella began feeding the homeless in Oneida Square with a small group of volunteers. He reached out to local restaurants for help—and one of the first to respond was Sal Raspante. “Sal called me right away and said, ‘Whatever you need, I’m in,’”Felix recalled. From then on, Sal showed up without fail—sending sandwiches, chips, drinks, and even cases of soda when he saw the team in action. “He didn’t do it for attention,” Felix said. “He gave from the heart.”
After Sal’s passing, his wife Enessa directed memorial donations to continue the effort. Felix now honors him with a banner that reads: “This dinner for the homeless is in memory of Sal Raspante, who always had compassion for those living on the streets.” Every first Wednesday of the month, that meal is served in his name.
“If someone needed something, Sal stepped up,” said his mother, Caroline. “Rich or poor, friend or stranger—he showed up.”
What drove him? “It’s just who he was,” Jackie said. “We grew up with very little. He never forgot what that felt like.”
Rob Blackshear worked with Sal Raspante for seven years—and credits him with transforming his life. “When I met Sal, I was working two jobs, 70 hours a week,” Rob said. “He promised to get me out of that grind, and I promised to commit to him. We both kept our word.” At the time, Rob was living in a municipal housing complex. Sal stepped in—helping him purchase his childhood home, a house once owned by Rob’s parents. It was a promise Rob had made to his mother decades earlier, and Sal made it happen just weeks after her passing in November 2023. “He got me back into my family home,” Rob said. “That’s who Sal was.” Sal passed away four weeks later. “He was more than my boss—he was my mentor, my friend. I’m still here, and I’m going to take care of this place—for him.”
Sal never looked for credit. “He didn’t call to say, ‘Hey, I did this,’” Jackie said. “I’d hear it from someone else. That was just Sal.”
His Legacy Lives On
Sal’s signature phrase—Tonight We Ride—was more than a motto. It was a way of life: live fully, bring people together, and enjoy the ride. His annual Turkey Bowl at Thanksgiving was a beloved tradition, always full of laughter and friendly competition.
He never missed a Boilermaker. In later years, he ran it with Bella, who now carries the torch. Each spring, friends and family walk in his honor during the National Heart Run & Walk as Sal’s Night Riders—his spirit still moving, coast to coast.
His mother says what she hopes people remember most is simple: “His heart. His smile. My son. I just don’t want him forgotten.” “I was so proud he was my brother,” Jackie added. “Every time someone shares a story, I think, ‘That’s my brother.’”
Sal has been recognized by the Rescue Mission of Utica, County Executive Anthony Picente, Senator Joe Griffo, Sheriff Robert Maciol, Mayor Michael Galime, and Congresswoman Claudia Tenney. Oneida County District Attorney Todd Carville also shared: “Sal was such a wonderful person. My wife and I loved seeing him at events because we knew we’d laugh, feel welcomed, and leave smiling. Just days before he passed, he was delivering sandwiches to our office. His kindness stayed with all of us. I’ll miss him deeply.” More recently, Dr. Nicholas Qandah of CNY Brain and Spine sponsored a campaign in Sal’s honor to raise funds for MMRI.
Sal Raspante was one of a kind—full of life, full of love, and always ready to lift others up. He gave generously, laughed loudly, and lived boldly. And though he’s no longer here to walk into the room and shout Tonight we ride!, his legacy lives on in every driveway he plowed, every person he helped, and every heart he made lighter.
This summer, when family and friends gather at the MMRI Golf Classic, they’ll honor him the best way they know how: by showing up, laughing hard, loving big, and living in the moment. Because even though the party feels quieter without him, Sal’s story will keep being told—and his spirit will ride on in every one of us.
Tonight We Ride.
Join Sal’s friends and family for an unforgettable evening on Monday, August 25, 2025 honoring Sal. Enjoy a pig roast, open bar, and live music by Last Left—set against the backdrop of Yahnundasis Golf Club. Celebrate his legacy while supporting heart disease research that helps save lives. Space is limited, and this event may sell out.
To get involved:
• Attend the pig roast party
• Support MMRI’s heart research
Visit mmri.edu/golf
