Salvatore C. Sciacca

Salvatore Carmine "Cookie" Sciacca
December 13, 1942 – July 12, 2025

Several interesting things happened on December 13, 1942. The air temperature in New York took a nosedive to 22°F, 4.2 inches of snow fell to the ground, and in an East New York hospital, a bundle of joy and warmth arrived in the form of Salvatore Carmine Sciacca to his proud parents Salvatore "Sam" Sciacca and Josephine Sciacca, joining his brother Anthony and sister Fran.

Cookie, as he was called by friends and family, spent his childhood on Dean Street in East New York, but his family moved to the suburbs of Valley Stream, New York, on Long Island while he was in grade school.

It was here that he graduated from Valley Stream Central High School, went into the family watch-crystal manufacturing business, married Ellen, and had four children: Salvatore, Kevin, Patrick, and Veronica.

The most important thing in life to Cookie was his family and his children. Whether it was racing between multiple soccer games to make sure he could see everyone equally or teaching them about life aboard boats, he gave his family his all at every turn.

Cookie was the most doting of pop-pops to his grandson, Kevin, teaching him the simple joys of donuts, chocolate cake or ice cream, no matter the time of day.

You won’t see Cookie in many videos or pictures, he was always the one behind the camera, making sure to capture the moment. The memory. That’s what he cherished most.

And yes, we said boats. The kid from Brooklyn developed a deep fascination with boats and fishing, evolving from casting a line in the pond behind his house to traveling to Bimini, Mexico, the Florida Keys, and even Hawaii in pursuit of his piscatorial passions.

The bug bit him so hard, he bought a boat—his beloved Downeaster, Born Free. This relationship lasted 53 years. While his offshore angling dreams modified over the years, Cookie's love for Born Free and being around the water emanated from every pore of his being, never waning. It's a gift that he passed along to his children and sticks with them to this day.

They know that whenever they are near, or on, the water, Dad is right there with them.

Cookie never sought attention or the limelight—he saved it for his family. He lived for his family, and now he lives through them.

Salvatore Carmine "Cookie" Sciacca may have left this world, but now he is reunited with his son Kevin, mother Josephine, father Sam, brother Anthony, and sister Fran. He is survived by his sons Salvatore and Patrick, his daughter Veronica Kirkham, his grandson Kevin, his daughters-in-law Sarah and Tricia, and son-in-law William.

We will miss him dearly, but we also take solace in the fact that he is now at peace, looking over us and smiling proudly at the family he built.

In lieu of flowers we request you consider making a donation to lung cancer research or NYC Columbia Presbyterian hospital in honor and support of the amazing care they provided to our father.