Family of year is busy all day

After many years of dedicated volunteer work on the community and Church level, Mr. Salerno, who is in his 70s, has decided to kick back and take life easy for a change. That means he has let go of a full schedule of activities that would stagger even the most dedicated person.

Mr. Salerno and his wife Carolina were recently honored at the annual convention of the New York State Council of the Knights of Columbus as the Family of the Year for their lifetime dedication to their community and for upholding the ideals of the Knights.

Taking it easy?

As if that weren't enough, he has been actively involved with the Knights of Columbus Council No. 5703 in Rotterdam for 55 years.

Now retired, Mr. Salerno works part-time as a clerk for Albany County's Family Court. He also remains semi-active in the Knights as well as being an active member of the Rotterdam Elks, Sunrise Rotary, and the Rotterdam Boys and Girls Club, where he is the president of the board of managers. He also still sits on the board of directors of the Schenectady Boys and Girls Club.

Indeed, his life these days is one of leisure.

Knights

Some of the community activities his Council is involved in include Little League baseball teams, fundraising drives for those with cancer and Down syndrome, and the needy. They are also involved in the annual "Teddy Bear" program at Albany Medical Center by providing stuffed bears to children in the cancer treatment program.

In his half-century with the K of C, Mr. Salerno has remained deeply involved in his family's life as well as Church and community work activities. He and his wife have lived in Rotterdam since they married in the late '40s. They have two sons, Louis, 50 (also a Knight), and Charles, 45, and five grandchildren.

Wife's life

"I consider myself to be his personal secretary," she said with a laugh, referring to her behind-the-scenes work at home.

"She's been so much more than that," he said. "Without Carolina, I never could have done all this work."

Mrs. Salerno has a long list of her own achievements. She is past treasurer of the Catholic volunteer group of women that centers its efforts on Birthright, a program for unwed mothers.

Mrs. Salerno, a registered nurse, graduated from St. Mary's School of Nursing in Amsterdam in 1948. Besides the support work she has done on behalf of her husband, she worked at Ellis and St. Clare's hospitals in Schenectady, and was a podiatry nurse for nearly 20 years. She now dedicates her time to ministries at St. Madeleine Sophie parish.

Along with her husband, she is heavily involved with a group of about ten parishioners who plan meals and serve them to the homeless at Schenectady's Salvation Army center. The effort is part of a county-wide, ecumenical program. Additionally, both she and her husband are Eucharistic ministers. Mr. Salerno is head usher there and treasurer of the Men's Association.

Outstanding couple

"If you have to depend on someone, Ralph is the person to contact," he said. "He has been pro-active in the Knights, his community, Church and family life, ever since I've known him.

"In the process of this nomination, I was looking for someone that has dedicated himself to not only the Knights and our work but also had strength in other areas of his life. I was looking for how a Knight relates to people, gives assistance to those that need it, his level of energy, problem-solving abilities, leadership skills, his family life and, finally, how he lives his faith.

"Ralph and his family were chosen from stiff competition. There are over 500 councils in New York State. We are very proud of him and his work in our organization over the years."

(Editor's note: In 1996, the James A. Haley family was chosen as Family of the Year. Mr. Haley is also a member of Council No. 5703 in Rotterdam. Mr. Brooks considers the two awards in five years something to be doubly proud of. "Lightening struck us twice!" he said. For information on Council No. 5703, call Mr. Brooks at St. Madeleine Sophie, 355-0421.)

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