Obituary of Salvatore R. Brugnano

Sal Brugnano, 82, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, October 26, 2018. Cremation has taken place, his journey beyond the stars has begun.

Sal was born in Mansfield, Ohio on April 10, 1936, to the late Jacino and Katherine (Daly) Brugnano. He grew up in Kent, attended St. Pat's and graduated from Kent Roosevelt High School in 1954. He was a natural athlete excelling in football, basketball, and baseball. After graduation, Sal played baseball with Kent City Rec. League, and basketball for Kent Lincoln Mercury. He quit city sports at age 40.

Sal's career in the rubber industry spanned 62 years beginning in 1956 at Hamilton Kent Mfg., where he worked every position until he became part-owner and VP of Mfg., a position that took him around the world. In 1984, he started Fourmega Corp. and in 1993, he set-up and ran Vertex, Inc., in Mogadore as its president and part-owner.

In his early years, Sal had an innate ability to understand rubber compounds; he knew how the machinery would react long before a computer could tell him that a change in the process was needed. He was quick, decisive and confident - an ability that was difficult to teach - it was experience that gave him the edge. Rubber suppliers brought compound to him to test, relying on his knowledge and honesty.

Sal's passion for the rubber industry always remained a vital part of his life. He shared his life work with his wife, Susan, and they enjoyed many years working alongside of each other. Going to work every day was a joy to Sal, he loved being out in the shop with the employees. Each new job was an adventure and he continued going to work until the week before his death.

Sal loved cooking, golfing, fishing, casino trips, lottery tickets, Star Trek, and candy. But nothing topped going to his grandson's ballgames. Sal was a member of Congress Lake Country Club.

Sal leaves his loving wife of 37 years, Susan; children, Deborah (Steve) Harris; son, Jack (Lori) Brugnano; and grandson, Sal Brugnano, whom he loved dearly; and two brothers.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday, November 2 at 1 PM at Redmon Funeral Home, where friends may call from 11 AM until service time. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Sawyerwood United Methodist Church, 956 Mohawk Trail, Akron, OH 44312.