The Oakland Journal has a policy of not publishing obituaries, but the passing of certain individuals offer a community a unique opportunity to reflect and be inspired.
“Service Above Self” is the motto of the Rotary International of which Sal Daccurso was a member in Oakland since 1952. While having passed on this April at the age of 94, Mr.Daccurso was honored for his commitment to that ideal by The Rotary in 2009.
The concept of “service above self” permeated a life lived largely in Oakland, NJ, and as a result Oakland benefited tremendously. His involment in Oakland spans generations, and he continued to cross those generational lines as “Grand Pa Sal” at Manito School where he volunteered to read to the children.
Prior to that, his involvement in the community included the role of Chairman for the Oakland Boy Scouts, and helping to found what was known at the time as the Oakland Recreation Committee. Daccurso was President of the Oakland Board of Education, President of the Ramapo/Indian Hills school board, and fittingly President of the Oakland Rotary Club.
An active member of his church community, a World War II veteran, and member of the Oakland American Legion for 60 years.
“Service Above Self” was a value shared by what is often described as America’s Greatest Generation. It was a 25 year old Sal Daccurso who enlisted in the United States Army on June 23rd 1942 as the nation was struggling with its entrance into WWII.
The global threat to democracy was real, and the threat to the American homeland was still a serious concern to people back home. On June 21st 1942, in North Africa, the Germans take in 30,000 prisoners of war and just as importanty capture more than 3,000,000 rations and 500,000 gallons of gasoline to support the Nazi war effort.
Also on June 21st 1942, the Japanese successfully bombed the shores of Oregon. While no lives were lost, the incident exemplified the real threat to America’s homeland….On June 23rd, 1942, Sal Dacurrso enlisted.
After the war, Sal Dacurrso continued to put service above self and played an important role in a community that may have changed slowly, but changed dramatically. Farmland was once still common, and the population of Oakland has grown from under 2,000 in 1950 to over 12,000 today. The majority of homes were not built when Daccurso began his life in Oakland.
The passing of Sal Dacurrso offers an opportunity not to simply celebrate the life of a long time Oakland resident, but to be inspired by that life, and by the commitment to community reflected in the motto, “Service Above Self”.
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