It is rare for a local actor’s performance to be mentioned in a Post-Standard editorial.
But that was how exceptional William “Bill” Salomone’s portrayal of “Tevye” in the 1975 production of “Fiddler on the Roof” by the Pompeian Players was.
“The responsive first night audience was generous with applause for many highlights of the familiar show and at the final curtain,” the May 17, 1975 editorial said after the play’s opening night at the Loew’s State (Landmark) Theater,” “but it was when Bill Salomone took his bow that the crowd arose and the ‘Bravos!’ sounded for a real ovation.”
Watching a rehearsal just before that first night, newspaper columnist Mario Rossi was similarly moved by Salomone’s emotional performance.
“There comes a time in the play when Salomone sings of the ache and anguish of life, of its beauty and promise and joy and sadness,” Rossi wrote. “When Salomone sings at this particular point, there are tears in the eyes of other cast members.”
“We cry because we feel it,” said Monsignor Charles Borgognoni, longtime director of the Pompeian Players. “That’s how we know it’s good.”
William Pellegrino “Bill” Salomone, of Venice, FL, passed away peacefully on October 2.
He was 90 years old.
“Syracuse has lost one of its brightest lights,” his obituary said. “A true hometown legend.”
“He will be sorely missed as the patriarch of our family, our cornerstone of Italian traditions, a devoted husband, a loving father, and Papa. His laughter, his voice, and service in the community made him more than just a familiar face in Syracuse - he was truly cherished by many who knew him.”
He was one of the area’s most prolific local actors.
“From being King Arthur, in ‘Camelot’ to The King of Siam in the “King and I,’ he acted and sang them all,” his wife, Patricia, said. “He also sang with local professionals, including Bob Brown, and Frank Fiumano.”
But he was more than an entertainer. Salomone also worked hard for local charities and helped found one of Syracuse’s favorite summer events.
Salomone was born in Syracuse to Alberto and Elena (Saudella) Salomone, “proud immigrants from Naples, Italy.” He was the second of three children, along with his siblings Susan (Vincent) Cogliandro and Alberto.
Patricia told a story this week about how her husband became such hard worker at an early age.
The family’s milkman offered seven-year-old William 50 cents and “all the milk bottles he could carry in his pockets” if he would help with on his deliveries.
Young William sat “on a milk crate without a seat belt” and did the job. His father, a tailor, “fortified his pockets” so he could carry more home.
He graduated from North High School in 1953 and from Le Moyne College in 1957, earning a B.A. in Sociology.
After college, Salomone served in the Air National Guard until he met his obligations.
According to his obituary, his career began as a caseworker for Onondaga County Social Services. In 1960, he joined the Central New York Muscular Dystrophy Association as District Director.
During his tenure, he set up the first Jerry Lewis Summer Camp in New York State for children with muscular dystrophy. Modeled after similar camps found in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles and Detroit, this endeavor required him to recruit and train over 100 volunteers for the camp at Old Forge.
“It is our intention,” he told The Post-Standard in 1966, “to make this camping session a wonderful recreational and educational experience for each camper.”
“The camp is a vital legacy that continues to run successfully in the community today,” his obituary said.
He went on to serve as Executive Director of the American Heart Association of Upstate New York in 1969, where he stayed until his retirement in 2000.
“His charismatic personality contributed to overseeing countless successful fundraising events,” his obituary said. “Over three decades, he became a pillar of the local chapter, organizing the annual Heart Ball and spearheading walkathons and countless other fundraising events.”
“We’re not here just to put on another big, successful dance,” Salomone declared before the Heart Ball in 1999. “We exist to save lives.”
The annual fundraiser was attended by hundreds and often raised more than $75,000 a year.
Salomone helped to develop a mobile Emergency Coronary Care Unit with improved lifesaving equipment to replace an aged ambulance unit.
On the stage, he “brought joy to sold-out audiences through his love of the theater, sharing his remarkable singing voice and captivating stage presence,” his obituary said.
His voice was often accompanied by the music of the Mario DeSantis Orchestra.
Salomone made lifelong friendships while performing with the Pompeian Players. He met “the love of his life,” Patricia, who often performed beside him, there too.
He starred in classic plays like “The Music Man,” “South Pacific,” “Oliver,” “Carousel,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Annie” and many more.
Post-Standard theater critic Nevart Apikian thought his performance as King Arthur in Camelot in 1978 was his “finest performance.”
He got the idea for Syracuse’s Festa Italiana while on a trip to Milwaukee.
“There, he witnessed an Italian festival of such mammoth proportions that it had eight stages of entertainment going simultaneously,” Mario Rossi explained in a 1998 edition of the Herald-Journal. “There were all sorts of contests and other features, and the turnout jammed the city’s center. Why not a similar festival in Syracuse, he thought. Salomone found the challenge irresistible.”
He came home and took his idea to State Sen. John DeFrancisco who asked Salomone to form a committee.
Organizers of the first event expected to draw 20,000 people over two days in 1998. Instead, they attracted a total of 31,000.
Salomone not only headed the Festa’s committee but also sang some Frank Sinatra favorites, served as emcee, and booked the entertainment.
“It is difficult to put into words the satisfaction, pride and exhilaration that we experienced in presenting the first Festa Italiana,” he wrote in a letter after the first event held at Clinton and Hanover Circles in 1998. “The overwhelming response by our community was worth the arduous four-and-a-half months of planning.”
After retirement, he and Patricia moved to Venice, FL where he continued his passion for theater by volunteering as an usher at their Performing Arts Center with her by his side.
He also nurtured his heritage when he was welcomed by a second Italian family while working at Angelo’s Italian Market and restaurant, his second home, his obituary said.
Salomone was devoted to the Catholic faith and was a parishioner of Our Lady of Pompei church in Syracuse and Our Lady of Lourdes in Venice.
He was a lifelong passionate fan of the New York Yankees and the music of Frank Sinatra. He was also a proud member of the Holy Name Society, the Knights of Columbus, and choirs in Syracuse and Venice.
Salomone is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patricia, and their four children, William (Maria), Maria (Michael Fruscello), Charles (Amber Martinez) and Laura (Chuck Wilbur).
He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren, Gabrielle, Adriana, Michael, Nicholas, Elena, Charles, Alex, Benjamin and Arelia, and in-laws, Jim and Anne DiStefano, James and Libby Garden and Nancy Nemeti.
Salomone is also survived by several cousins from as near as Connecticut and as far as Italy, London and Scotland. He has multiple nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents and siblings.
“If you are one of many who knew Bill,” his obituary said, “and one day, when you randomly start whistling one of his beloved show tunes or Frank Sinatra songs, you will know that he has filled heaven with his beautiful voice.”
His family would “like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the exceptional staff at Solaris Health Care in Port Charlotte FL for their unwavering kindness, compassionate care for our father, and steadfast support for our family.”
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Oct. 17, 2025, at Our Lady of Pompei/St. Peter Church, followed by entombment in Woodlawn Cemetery Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Salomone’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of his family, please visit the Sympathy Store of Thomas J. Pirro Funeral Home.
