A painting of Carl Saldutti by former Lansdale Mayor Andy Szekely.
The passing of Lansdale’s longtime Parks and Recreation Director Carl Saldutti over the weekend has sent shockwaves through local circles and social media alike, causing an outpouring of support honoring the achievements and contributions from the 45-year public servant.
Below, you will find comments and statements from borough officials, local leaders, and others that we’ve culled from social media, text messages and emails, all appearing in their entirety. We will continue to update this post as we receive more statements, but feel free to add your own by commenting below (We normally have our commenting turned off, but we will leave it open for this post).
Mary Fuller, Lansdale Borough Council Vice President: “The news of Carl's passing is devastating to me, first in my role as parks and recreation committee chair, but also as a resident of Lansdale. I have worked closely with him for nearly nine years and I have never known someone so dedicated and so passionate about his life's work. He was the recipient of Lansdale's Lifetime Achievement Award but it seems he deserved even higher honors. The entire borough reaped the benefits of his hard work, and for that we should all be eternally grateful. He was my dear friend, and I'll miss him more than I can express. Simply, he was the best.”
Garry Herbert, Lansdale Borough Mayor: “Carl, with his perpetual smile and good humor, was one of Lansdale’s kindest, hardest working, and dedicated employees that we have had. He was a leader to many and a friend to all. He believed deeply and passionately that Lansdale is a great place to live and he worked his whole life to make it better for all of us. He will be greatly missed, however, his legacy will live on forever as an example of what we can accomplish when we care deeply about our community.”
Denton Burnell, Lansdale Borough Council President: "With Carl's passing, we have lost a man who made an immeasurable positive impact on Lansdale. His hard work, dedication, and unassuming style touched countless lives. It was nearly impossible to attend an event in town and not run into Carl—always with a smile and a kind word. And behind the scenes he worked tirelessly to enrich and improve the lives of all Lansdale's residents. His legacy will be felt for years to come, and his presence will be greatly missed."
Bill Henning, Lansdale Borough Councilman: “A terrible loss for Lansdale. Everyone has a small handful of people in their lives that they admire and try to learn from. He was definitely one of mine, and it was an honor to have the opportunity to work with him. God Bless him and his family.”
Andy Szekely, former Lansdale Borough Mayor: “Someone asked about the portrait that I did of Carl, about which I completely forgot. When I asked to take Carl's photo for my portrait, he refused to smile. I tried telling him jokes and doing my best to make him smile, he refused to smile for the camera. In vain, I tried and after at least a dozen or so clicks, this was the closest I got. In looking at the photos online, there is that reluctance…but certainly away from the camera was a different story. I loved his laugh and his giggle.”
Jack Hansen, Lansdale Borough Councilman: “Carl Saldutti was a dedicated individual who loved Lansdale. It didn’t make any difference to Carl who you were or why you were at a borough event, Carl made sure you enjoyed yourself. If you had a question, he would answer it for you. Personally, I have lived here for 33 years, and I can’t remember a single event in the borough that Carl was not there. Carl will be missed by everyone. Even if you didn’t know him, you will sense something is missing, but he would want all the events to go on, and it is our duty to honor him by continuing his legacy. I am proud to have had the privilege to know him. Carl, you will be missed. Rest In Peace.”
William Breish, Founder of Friends of Lansdale Parks: “I didn't get the chance to know him as well as I would have liked to, but I didn't really need to know him well to pick up on how extremely passionate he was about Lansdale, Parks and Rec, and all the people that call this town home. RIP Carl Saldutti.”
Upper Gwynedd Township Parks and Recreation: “We are saddened to hear of the passing of Lansdale Borough's Parks & Recreation Director, Carl Saldutti. He was the nicest man, always willing to help us when needed, and will be greatly missed. RIP Carl.”
Lansdale Borough Facebook Page: “Carl was not just an employee of Lansdale Borough, he was an ambassador for the community. Carl spent many hours behind the scenes planning, organizing or contributing to every event that happened in the borough. His first concerns were always what was best for the borough and its residents. He worked tirelessly to provide an exceptional parks and recreation system to be enjoyed by all.”
FROM THE NORTH PENN NOW STAFF
Tony Di Domizio, North Penn Now Contributor: “I first came to know Carl with my job as a writer covering Lansdale for The Reporter. Upon our first meeting, immediately I knew Carl lived, breathed, fought and championed Lansdale. He was the parks, he was the events, he was a legend of Lansdale. He always had a smile, a twinkle in his eye, and would always be in-depth in coverage of parks and recreation-related news for The Reporter and later on, Lansdale Patch. Later I would find out he was a distant cousin of sorts (aren’t all Italians related somehow?). But we didn’t need a bloodline to share our passion and love for Lansdale. He was a voice of the Borough and its future won’t be the same without him. Grazie, Carl, for all you did for Lansdale.”
Bruce Schwartz, North Penn Now Contributor: “I didn’t have nearly the history with Carl as many in the borough had, having moved back just a few years ago. But Carl was one of the first folks I met, and I couldn’t have had a better welcome home. You immediately felt his warmth and dedication, and the depth of his passion about Lansdale—his reverence for its open spaces, his love of the community and his conviction for the borough’s future potential. It is the measure of the man that we will remember him with respect and admiration, and rededicate ourselves to the town he loved.”
Keith Heffintrayer, North Penn Now Editor: “I’ve worked with Carl via the Lansdale Zombie Walk and other events over the past five years, and I’ve covered him as a journalist with the Lansdale Patch. He was a tremendously compassionate, hard-working man who did all he could for Lansdale, with no expectation of recognition or reward. He was a kind-hearted visionary that played a vital role in the revitalization of our town, and we all should be grateful for his contributions. The man that I strive to be is half the man that he was.”
See also:
Carl Saldutti, Lansdale Parks and Recreation Director, Dies at 69
Lansdale Historical Society to Display High School Memorabilia
‘Crackerjack’ Clean-Up Crew Spruces Up Downtown Lansdale
Volunteers Add a Shine to Whites Road Park
