Salvatore A. LaBella, PE

Rochester - Salvatore A. LaBella (Sal), 81, of Rochester, NY passed away peacefully on September 3, 2021.

Sal was born in Scranton, PA to Patrick and Barbara (Passaro) LaBella on August 24, 1940. The family moved to Rochester in 1942.

He went to high school at Aquinas Institute in Rochester and graduated in 1958. He attended St. John Fisher College, and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Detroit. He earned a master of science degree in civil engineering at the University of Minnesota. He received his NY Professional Engineering license in 1968, and a masters of business administration from the University of Rochester's Simon Business School in 1978.

In 1978, Sal founded LaBella Associates, a civil engineering firm. He served as project manager for a number of notable public works projects, including the Monroe County Pure Waters underground sewer expansion. He led the firm for over three decades as it expanded to include full-service engineering, architecture, planning, and environmental services in New York, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. Sal's reputation for sound engineering, diligent client advocacy, and unwavering ethics became foundational for the firm that today operates in over 30 office locations and employs over 1200 professionals. He received numerous awards throughout his career that culminated in his 2016 induction to the Rochester Business Hall of Fame.

He was recognized as the Civil Engineer of the Year from the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1997, and the Engineer of the Year from the Rochester Engineering Society in 1999. He would later serve as President of the Rochester Engineering Society from 2001-2002. LaBella Associates is still a huge supporter of the RES as an Enterprise Level Corporate Member, our Tutoring Team, as well as as our annual Gala.

For more on Sal's professional accomplishments, visit: www.labellapc.com/sal

Sal was an Eagle Scout and was active in many community and professional organizations, particularly the YMCA of Greater Rochester, where he served as Chairman of the Board.

Sal is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sandra (Galitski); children Cynthia (spouse Michael Broadfoot) and Vincent (fiancé Emily Wild); grandchildren Aidan, Bria, Alexa, Mia, and Arianna; and siblings Pauline Sherwood, Ernest (Karen) LaBella, Ann Marie (Charles) Knauf, Barbara Cacia, and Patrick (Natalie) LaBella.

A funeral mass was held in Sal's honor on October 16th at 11 AM at St. Mary's Church, 95 North Main Street in Canandaigua NY.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Rochester General Hospital, the YMCA or St. Mary's Church in Canandaigua.