Anthony D. Sala Do

Anthony D. Sala DO

Dr. Anthony D. Sala, age 77, of Erie, died Thursday, March 8, 2012 at his home surrounded by his family after an extended illness.

He was born May 26, 1934 in Erie, a son of the late Nicolo and Stella DiPlacido Sala. He received his B.A. Degree from Gannon College in 1957; graduated from Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1964; was a family practitioner in Erie for five years, and served his residency in Ophthalmology at Grandview Hospital in Dayton, OH from 1970 – 1973.

Dr. Sala established the Erie Eye Clinic in 1974. In later years he was joined by his sons, whom he worked with until his retirement in 2001. He was on the Board of Examiners for a number of years, also serving as their President.

Dr. Sala was going to start his ophthalmologist practice in Tampa but instead returned to Erie because he wanted to make a difference. He was very involved in the development of youth sports for the City of Erie. He managed the Cathedral Prep Hockey Team for ten years. He was also instrumental in developing soccer in Erie, eventually starting the first high school league in the City of Erie. He was the recipient of the Archbishop Gannon Medal of Distinction for dedication and service to Gannon University and Catholic higher education as well as many other prestigious awards.

He was a Past President and member of the Erie Wolves Club, a life member of the Erie Maennerchor Club and Lawrence Park Golf Club. In the later years of his life he was very involved in Ballroom Dancing and Argentine Tango and had traveled numerous times to Argentina.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother, Peter Sala and two sisters, Mamie Scozzie and Susan Rocco.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Violet Popoff Sala; four sons, Dr. Nicholas Sala and wife Lori, Dr. Anthony Sala and wife Kari, John Sala, Erie School Teacher and wife Tobi and Dr. Michael Sala and wife Barbara; one brother, Frank Sala; two sisters, Genevieve Banak, all of Erie, and Mary Ciminise of Las Vegas, NV, and nine grandchildren, Allyson, Nick Jr., Alexa, Amelia, Morgan, Jacob, Abby, Joseph and Evan. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, best friend and caregiver, Shandra Roberts.

Friends are invited to call at the John R. Orlando Funeral Home Inc., 2122 Raspberry Street, on Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. and Monday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. and may attend a Funeral Mass on Tuesday at Saint Paul RC Church, 1617 Walnut Street, at 10 a.m.

Entombment will be in Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum. Memorials may be made to Saint Paul RC Church, 1617 Walnut Street, Erie, PA 16502 or to the Erie Wolves Club, PO Box 3172, Erie, PA 16508.