THROOP - Salvatore Chirco, 71, of Throop, passed away Sunday, Jan. 2, 2004, at Auburn Memorial Hospital, with his loving family by his side.

He was born in Cinisi, Sicily, the son of the late Nunzio and Margherita Biundo Chirco, and had been an area resident since 1960. He was a communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Church. Upon emigrating from Sicily, He was a master cabinet maker for many years at the Sam Chirco Cabinet Shop on State Street in Auburn. He then became employed by New Venture Gear in Syracuse, where he worked for more than 25 years, retiring in 1998. He was a member of the United Auto Workers of America.

Mr. Chirco was a member of the Cinisi Social Club, Italo Club, Italian Heritage Society, Italian American Club and was a member of the former Sons of Italy, all of Auburn. He was an avid gardener. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, who cherished his family.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 44 years, the former Mary Vitale of Throop; three sons, Norman and his wife, Amy, of Weedsport, Benedict and his wife, Amy, of Hopkinton, Mass., and Joseph and his wife, Cora, of Syracuse; a daughter, Margaret Morgenthaler and her husband, Matthew, of Throop; two brothers, Michele (Antoinetta) and Domenico (Petrina), and a sister, Maria (Vincenzo) Agrusa, all of Sicily; 13 grandchildren, David, Elizabeth, Michael and Robert Chirco, Sam, Jaclyn and Jake Chirco, Ben, Max and Francesca Chirco, and Maria, Alexander and Justin Morganthaler; as well as several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Rosalia Ferrara; and a brother, Giuseppe.

Friends and relatives are invited to join the family at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, in St. Francis of Assisi Church, for a Mass of Christian burial, with the pastor, the Rev. Peter DeBellis, as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Calling hours will be from 1 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. today, Jan. 4, at the Pettigrass Funeral Home, 196 Genesee St., Auburn.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to St. Francis of Assisi Church Building Fund, 299 Clark St., Auburn, NY 13021; or to the Throop Fire Department, Beech Tree Road, Auburn, NY 13021.