Obituary of Norman T. Salvas Sr.

Norman T. Salvas, Sr. Of Modesto, CA formerly of Hollister, CA and Weymouth/Kingston, MA, passed away peacefully at home on May 16, 2023 following a courageous 3 year battle with cancer. Norman was born on October 5, 1938 in Berlin, NH to the late Edward and Annette Salvas. Norman was a real go getter, with a work ethic like no other. Even without a high school education, Norman was successful in the vacuum/welding industry. In his earlier years he was a welder at Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, MA. He also served as a Police Officer in East Bridgewater, MA for a period of time. He worked several years as a welder and then foreman for Hi-Vacuum Systems in Hingham, MA until 1977. Norman then opened his own business, Nu-Vacuum Systems in Kingston, MA. In 1981 Norman and his wife Margaret decided to move and start up a new business in the Silicone Valley of California. They bought a house in Morgan Hill, CA where he started his new business, Pioneer Vacuum Systems and then S&S Vacuum Systems. Later in life Norman worked as a test engineer for Loral Corporation in Palo Alto, CA. Norman is pre-deceased by his parents, Edward Salvas, Sr and Annette (LaVertue) Salvas, his wife of 40 years, Margaret (Smyth) Salvas and 4 of his 5 siblings, Edward Jr., Donald, Paul and sister Simone Praetsch. Norman leaves behind his beloved wife of over 22 years, Millie (Hart) Salvas. Additionally, Norman is survived by his sister Suzanne Sheckleton (husband, Edward) of Plymouth, MA, his 3 children, Norman (Tom) Salvas (wife, Joni) of Plymouth, MA, Nancy Velho (husband, Arvin) of Lakeside, AZ and Scott Salvas of Hollister, CA. He also leaves behind 3 stepchildren, Sonja (Hart) Epidendio (husband, Steve), Deborah (Hart) Tinsley and Christopher Hart. Norman is also survived by 5 grandchildren (Adam, Derek, Bryan, Kevin and Brooke) and 10 great grandchildren with 1 on the way, as well as several stepgrandchildren and stepgreat grandchildren. A private Celebration of Life will take place at a later date. Norman will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetary in Hollister, CA.