S.J. Marengo

Salvador John “S.J.” Marengo – dedicated husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend to all he met passed away on Friday, March 17, 2023, surrounded by his loved ones.

S.J. was born in Bay St Louis, MS on October 14, 1933 to Mable and Luke Marengo, and was the youngest of seven children. Growing up in the Bay, he loved playing on the train tracks down from his father’s barber shop. After the passing of his father, his mother married Martin Nichols who raised him as his own and the family moved to Gulfport.

He attended Gulfport High School and discovered his two loves - Music and his wife of 65 years, Sylvia.  He would tell everyone he met, that he saw her prancing in those shorts and knew immediately that he was going to marry her.

S.J. was a born salesman.  If you had an office or building that needed furniture and supplies it was S.J. that took care of you.  And when the Casino’s came to the Coast, it was S.J. that furnished all of them.  After 25 years in the business, he decided it was time to retire.  But that lasted all of a week and soon he was out of retirement and into a second career. This time with the Harrison County Sheriff's Department in the process department.  He was honored to be a part of the Sheriff’s Department and loved working with the men and women wearing the badge.  It was here that he developed the name Sarge.  After 17 years, he finally decided it was time to retire for good this time.

S.J. was a member of St. John Catholic Church, the Masonic Lodge and  was a founding member of the Krewe of Gemini, where he served as Ball Captain, Parade Captain, President, Trustee and was King Jupiter the 9th and 49th. He and his wife Sylvia were sponsors for Phi Sigma Chi and Cotillion Club of Gulfport for many years.

He was preceded in death by his parents,  Luke Marengo, Mable Marengo Nichols & Papa Nick Martin Nichols; his brothers, Lukey Marengo, E.J. Marengo, Alvin Marengo, Anthony Marengo; and a sister Mary Rotondo.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sylvia; his daughter Shellie (Chase) Moses; grandson, Chase Moses, Jr; a sister, Delores Parker; and much loved nephews and nieces and countless friends.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Olivia Hightower and her staff for the incredible care they gave to him over the years, the nurses at Memorial Hospital and the staff at St. Joseph Hospice for their attentiveness and concern at the end of his life.

S.J. had a kind and loving heart and loved children.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation can be made in his honor to Make-A-Wish Mississippi – Gulfport office at PO Box 7488. Gulfport, MS 39506.

Visitation will be on Saturday, March 25, 2023, from 9 - 11 am at St. John the Evangelist Church.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am in the church.  Interment will be in Evergreen Gardens Cemetery.

The Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is serving the family and online condolences may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com