Ramo Salerno

Cavaliere Ramo Arthur Salerno, born at home in Detroit on Aug. 20, 1931, died May 31, 2021. He was the son of Francesco and Rosaria (DeRango) Salerno, who immigrated to the United States from Marano (Cosenza), Italy at the turn of the century.

He is survived by his son Ramo Salerno Jr. (Valerie), and daughter Rhonda Salerno, son-in-law Gordon Collins, granddaughter Marena Salerno Collins, Dzwinia Makar and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings Aldo Salerno, Ida Jenio and Giovanni Salerno.

After discharging from the Air Force, Salerno became an apprentice at the Tool Detail Company. In 1964, he founded is own business, Salerno Tool Works in Warren, Michigan which is still in existence.

He was the President of the Italian American Cultural Society, on the board of AIO (Americans of Italian Origin Society), the Goodwill Ambassador for the Coro Italiano, and has been actively involved in the Italian American Chamber of Commerce of Michigan since 1990 and a member of the Calabria Club.  

For over 20 years he spearheaded the Ramo Salerno Trip to the State Capital in October where he honored many Italian leaders and business people in his community at his own expense. He was awarded the Italian-American of the Year Award in 2003 by the Italian Study Group of Troy,  the Humanitarian of the Year Award for the Columbus Day Celebration in 2011. He was the Grand Marshal of the 2001 Columbus Day Parade and of the highest honor was knighted by the Italian Government as a Cavaliere in 2018.

He was a past Grand Marshal and Director of the Warren-Centerline Thanksgiving Day Parade. He sat on the executive board of the Warren Symphony Orchestra and served as Chairman of the Roast Committee for the Symphony. He was also a member of St. Mary’s College Senate, a sponsor of the Fitzgerald High School Electric Car Program, a supporter of the Juneau Family Birth Center, a supporter of the Career and Technical Educators of Macomb County and an ambassador to Orchard Lake Schools, and served as chairman of the Michigan District of the Detroit Area Council of Boy Scouts of America.

Visitation will be held at Bagnasco Calcaterra Funeral home Sunday, June 6, from 2 to 9 p.m. Instate, the following day, Monday, June 7, at the Italian American Cultural Center from 9 A.M. until 10 A.M. at time of Service which will be officiated by Pastor Lou Vito. Interment at White Chapel Cemetery with a military burial.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be directed to the Clubhouse Building Fund at the Italian American Cultural Center, 43843 Romeo Plank Rd. Clinton Twp, 48038 in his honor.

For those attending visitation at the funeral home, social distancing must be maintained and facial masks are required for those who are not vaccinated.