Salvatore Altavista Obituary
Father Salvatore D. Altavista, M.S., 90, a Missionary of Our Lady of La Salette, died July 13, 2025 at Kimberly Hall South in Windsor, CT. He was born October 5, 1934 in Woburn, Massachusetts, the son of Salvatore and Rose (Perna) Altavista. He attended grammar and high school in Woburn. He attended St. Michael College in Winooski, Vermont; St. Philip Neri College in Boston, MA; and the La Salette Seminary in Altamont, New York. Father entered the La Salette Novitiate in Bloomfield, CT in 1957. He pronounced his First Vows on July 2, 1958 and his Perpetual Vows on September 19, 1961. On May 30, 1964, Father was ordained to the priesthood at the La Salette Seminary Church in Ipswich, MA.
Father Sal's first appointment was as librarian and teacher at the La Salette Seminary in Cheshire, CT. In 1966, he was the Prefect at the La Salette Seminary in Altamont, NY, as well as a professor. Returning to Cheshire in 1967, he was Assistant Prefect of Studies, and was appointed as the Prefect in 1970. During this time, he continued his education in the summers at Catholic University of America, receiving an M.S. in Library Science in 1970 and an M.A. in English in 1971. Father continued his teaching ministry at Sacred Heart High School in Waterbury, CT. In 1982, Father Altavista was assigned to Hartford House while continuing his work in Waterbury. Father began teaching at South Catholic High School in Hartford in 1983 and was appointed Archivist for the Province of Our Lady of Seven Dolors in 1993. He began teaching at St. Augustine School in Hartford from 1994 until 2008. At that time, he taught part-time at SS. Cyril and Methodius School until 2012. He then worked as librarian at St. Brigid School in Elmwood until his retirement.
When Father was studying at St. Philip Neri, he was touched by his housemother's devotion the Our Lady of La Salette. It was her devotion that led him to becoming a Missionary of La Salette. Undoubtedly, Father loved his ministry as priest and teacher. He spent his priesthood teaching English and always bringing in a Christian emphasis. He was quoted on his 50th anniversary of ordination, "You have to go out and help people, whatever your work is."
He loved being a priest and being able to share this love through his teaching. Father was very personable and welcomed everyone with a big, warm smile.
In addition to his La Salette Community, Father Altavista, M.S., is survived by his brothers Joel Altavista of MA and Ronald (Lorraine) Altavista of NH; his nieces Kathy (John) Muise of MA and Susan (Ken) Kehoe of NH.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at the La Salette Hartford House Chapel at 10:30 am. Burial will be at the Altavista family plot in Calvary Cemetery in Winchester, MA on Monday, July 21, 2025 at 1:30 pm. Calling hours will be at Hartford House on Saturday from 9:15 to 10:10 am. Contributions in his memory may be made to: Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette Retirement Fund, P.O. Box 331370, West Hartford, CT 06133. The Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, Wethersfield has charge of arrangements. To share a memory, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com
Published by WFSB on Jul. 15, 2025.