Salvatore Enea, 77, of Budd Lake, NJ, passed away peacefully on November 20, 2023. Sal was born on August 1, 1946, in Passaic, NJ to the late Salvatore and Virginia (Mulle) Enea. He grew up in Lodi, NJ, has lived in Budd Lake for the past 46 years and was a parishioner of St. Jude Thaddeus RC Church in Budd Lake.

Sal worked as a Store Manager and Produce Supervisor for Shop-Rite for over 50 years, having started out in the produce department at 17 when he met a beautiful cashier (and his future wife) Kathy. He was an outstanding high school baseball player and a scout for the St. Louis Cardinals had an eye on him, but instead, he joined the Army to serve his country. Sal was a proud veteran having enlisted and served active duty from 1965 - 67 during the Vietnam War as a Spec 5 Army Medic (Preventative Medicine Unit) with 4 additional years in the Army Reserves.

Sal was a hardworking and beloved patriarch of his family and was known for his iconic storytelling and jokes. He could make anyone laugh with hilarious tales from his youth. He idolized #7 Mickey Mantle and was a passionate, devoted fan of the NY Yankees and NY Giants. He was a trivia expert and huge movie buff and loved everything from The Godfather to the old Westerns featuring John Wayne. He also was an extremely skilled blackjack player who enjoyed trips to the Atlantic City and Vegas casinos. He was known for making his famous deviled eggs for his family and friends to enjoy during holidays and gatherings.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Kathleen (Rysz) Enea, three devoted children; Mark Enea and partner Kaera Sawler, Sharon Enea and fiancé Jim Smith, and Michael Enea and wife Kristen (Resch), his granddaughter Victoria, and by many other loving family members and friends. He was predeceased by his aforementioned parents, and his brother, Nicholas Enea.

A celebration of Sal's life will include a visitation on Friday November 24, 2023, from 4pm – 8pm at the William J. Leber Funeral Home in Chester NJ (908) 879-3090. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday November 25, 2023, at 11am at St. Jude Parish in Budd Lake. Interment will be held privately by his family.