July 2021 PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE ITALIAN AMERICAN CULTURAL SOCIETY VOLUME, XXIX No. 7 43843 Romeo Plank Road - Clinton Township, MI 48038 - 586.228.3030 - Email iacs@iacsonline.com - www.iacsonline.com
Our beloved IACS President Cavaliere Ramo Salerno Our beloved IACS President, Cavaliere Ramo Salerno, passed away on May 31st. Ramo was recently elected President by our current 2021 Board of
Directors. Ramo served as IACS Treasurer from 20182020 and was on the Board of Directors for several years prior. His dream was to construct a new building
where IACS members could spend time enjoying many Italian cultural activities and traditions. To that end, his family’s request was that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the new building fund. Ramo Arthur Salerno was born to Francesco and Rosaria Salerno on August 20, 1931, in Detroit, Michigan, where his parents had settled after leaving the Calabria region of Italy. Salerno lived with his parents and three siblings in a two-bedroom house in Detroit’s lower east side.
About his upbringing, he would say, “We were very poor and as an Italian, I was not accepted. The Boy Scouts helped me and I was able to earn the Star Rank.” Salerno graduated from Denby High School and went on to a tool & die apprenticeship. He went into the Air Force and served during the Korean War. In March 1964, he founded Salerno Tool Works on Ryan Road in Warren. After having a son – Ramo Salerno, Jr. - Salerno again became involved with the Scouts,
becoming a Scout Master. His son earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Asking Salerno about his life and greatest successes, he would inevitably steer the topic to his children Ramo Jr. (married to Valerie) and Rhonda (married to Gordon), and to his granddaughter Marena – his pride and joy. Salerno’s life was one of giving. Plaques, trophies, and various items of thanks and recognition covered his office walls, as well as every available surface. Among his impressive and nearly endless list of roles: • President of the IACS Board of Directors; • Supporter and sponsor of many youth softball and hockey teams; • Vice President of the Warren Symphony, as well as Chairman of the Roast Committee for the Symphony • Vice President of the Wa r r e n - C e n t e r l i n e Thanksgiving Day Parade; Cavaliere Ramo Salerno continued on page 5
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