Donald E. Salada

Mr. Donald (Don) E. Salada, 79, of Albany, GA, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, January 11, 2012, due to a fatal heart attack that culminated a 30 year battle with heart disease.

Mr. Salada, the son of the late George L. and Julia Ann Griffith Salada, was born in Bradford, PA, on July 5, 1932. After graduating, with honors, from Bradford Area High School he enlisted in the U.S. Army to serve his country. Upon receiving an honorable discharge, he moved to Washington D.C. to pursue a career in government service. His meticulous clerical and organizational skills and fine eye for detail served him well in his executive assistant positions in the State and Treasury Departments, as well as the International Monetary Fund. While in government service he had temporary assignments in Beirut, Lebanon, Amman, Jordan, and various business trips abroad including travel on Air Force One. Upon retirement from government service in January 1991, he relocated to the fair city of Albany, GA, which quickly became home to him as he was welcomed and embraced by friends that became family.

Mr. Salada's love of art, music, and passion for the piano, reading, playing cards, and all things small and electronic, fully occupied his retirement years. His sweet fun-loving ways, friendly smile, rich laughter, and off beat sense of humor truly endeared him to family and friends. To know him was to love him. Don touched many lives in his roles as partner, son, brother, uncle, and faithful friend.

Mr. Salada is survived by his beloved partner of 38 years James R. Hagood, his brother, G. Fredrick Salada, many nieces and nephews, and a multitude of friends who will all cherish their memories of him. He was preceded in death by his parents George L. and Julia Salada, his sister, Della C. (Peggy) Korb, his brothers, William and Richard Salada, and his beloved pets, Peggy, Ginny, and Penny. Don will be dearly missed by one and all.