Salvatore Marci

Salvatore (Sal) Marci died on Saturday October 18, 2025 with his wife Diane at his side. Sal is survived by the love of his life, his devoted wife Diane, his loving daughters Cheryl Ann Davis and Lisa Maria Plansky, and Lisa's husband John Plansky. He was loved by his four grandchildren Corey Straub, Jaime Davis, Ellery Plansky, Nick Plansky and his four great-grandchildren.

Sal is preceded in death by his parents Frank and Sebastiana (Sparti) Marci, his brothers Joseph Marci, Frank Marci, Corrado Marci and his sister Josephine Frasca.

Born June 30, 1939, Sal was the youngest of five children growing up in Hartford, CT. His love for sports began at a young age as the only Red Sox fan in a family of Yankee supporters. Sal became an accomplished athlete especially in handball, racketball and road running. An aggressive competitor, Sal would challenge all comers but was quick to tell a joke and become fast friends with those he played against like Kenny Greco and his buddies from the racketball club. He enjoyed playing golf relying on his favorite five-wood and also played billiards very well, a skill he joked was 'a sign of a misspent youth', but he was good enough to beat some of the best pool players in the country. Sal had a great sense of humor and was regarded by his friends as a real ball-buster with a big heart.

Sal met the love of his life, Diane, and the two were inseparable for all of their lives. They shared a love for music especially Tony Bennett songs, dancing, and enjoying the beaches of Watch Hill, Rhode Island and Cape Cod. Sal and Diane were together for decades and were always at each others' side as they worked and raised a family. Diane worked at Hartford Hospital and Sal developed his business of hanging wall paper and painting where he established a loyal team of contractors like Frankie DeMonte.

Sal loved his daughters, Cheryl and Lisa, and was an unforgettable presence throughout their lives. He was a fierce protector of his girls, always ready to help them with their families, homes and cars. He especially loved to sing his favorite songs to them whenever he could.

Sal threw himself into the lives of his daughters' families. He became fast friends with Lisa's husband John with Sal taking the lead on the things he knew best and John introducing Sal to new experiences like coaching, boating and fishing. Sal has two boats named after him, 'The Babop', and 'Shadow of Your Smile', the song that he and his daughter Lisa danced to at her wedding.

Sal loved his grandchildren Corey, Jaime, Ellery, Nick and his great-grandchildren and became their 'Babop', a nickname given to him by his grand-daughter, Corey. Sal told stories and boasted about them to anyone who would listen. He was always at their family events, went on vacations with them, coached their teams, attended their games, talked to them, educated them about the greatness of Wilt Chamberlain, went to Red Sox games and enjoyed meals with them whenever he could. But what he enjoyed most was holding them and singing those same songs that he sang with Diane, Cheryl and Lisa to them over and over again.

Sal was loved by Diane, Cheryl, Lisa, John, his grandchildren and his great grandchildren and will be missed dearly by them and all of his lifelong friends.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Avery Heights, with check payable to Avery Heights and mailed to:

Avery Heights
Attention: Doreen Baldoni
217 Avery Heights
Hartford, CT 06106-4200

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