Phillip L. Salamacha

With broken hearts, Bill, Peggy and Jeffrey Salamacha announce the life of Phillip Salamacha has been tragically taken without any warning.  How his life came to an end, we do not know as he was taken too soon.  Phil was a graduate of Mt. Markham High School, "Class of 1994".  He then was awarded a scholarship to Wagner College for football and then transferred to and graduated from Stony Brook University with High Honors.  

 

Phil was born on Oct. 29, 1975 in New Hartford, NY.  He was at a place in his life where he was in great physical condition working out every day at the gym.  He was excited as he and his business partner, Mike Gyory were in the process of purchasing a building on Genesee Street, South Utica, a turnkey office (formerly the office of Dr. Jeffrey Peck who had retired from his practice). Phil was looking forward to running his own environmental service business that he had been doing for over twenty years. If you go to his website, www.plsenvironmental.com, it will give you incite of all he accomplished and loved doing.  Phil spent many years in the private, public, and government sector. He was a previous Department of Defense GS-13 Scientist at the China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station Research and Development Base in the Mojave Desert, CA. He worked with the top scientists and engineers in the world that helped develop weapons, energetics, propellants, and explosives to protect the United States. His role was to ensure the safety of everyone on the base whether civilian or military. Phillip worked around some of the most hazardous and toxic substances ever used or created. During his years there he received numerous awards and solved one of the most complex hazardous air testing evaluations ever completed. He was able not only to detect the contaminant in surface and air testing, but also design the remediation of the airborne chemical which saved the government approximately $382,648/day per the contract for the Sidewinder Missile.  Along with his large government and state clients, Phillip has also worked with architects, engineers, small business owners and homeowners. No job was too large or too small for CNY Analytical & Environmental, LLC.

 

He leaves us with heavy hearts.  Survivors include his parents, Bill and Peggy Salamacha of Cassville, his brother, Jeffrey Salamacha of Denver, CO and his beloved daughter, whom he named, Victoria Seraphina Salamacha (who turns 5, Nov. 1st).  Survivors also include numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, especially two of whom he had loved dearly, Tony Swalgin of Utica and Craig Swalgin of Waterville.  Phil held a special bond and friendship with City Court Judge, Francine Vero of Saratoga, who became a lawyer and ultimately a judge.  Phil spoke highly of Francine and loved and respected her.  She will remain close in spirit.  Phil and his mother were privileged to be at her wedding a few years ago, a friendship of over 17 years.  

 

God's word states, Absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.  Folks, the bible states, our lives are like a vapor, here today and gone tomorrow.  So live each day to the fullest and as if it is your last.  Phil, we depart now, but we look forward to meeting you again in our eternal home.  Love, Dad, Mom, Jeff and Mortimer. We plan to establish a memorial scholarship in the field of environmental science at the Mt. Markham High School.