James M. Salata 1951-2025

Jim was born Sept. 4, 1951, the son of the late John Salata and Mary Louise Berendt Salata.

After graduating from Boardman High School in 1969, Jim attended The Ohio State University, returning home after his freshman year at the time of his father’s passing. Jim then graduated from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and worked as a commercial artist in the advertising industry. Subsequently, Jim graduated from YSU with a degree in chemical engineering. In his later years, he worked as an independent flooring contractor, a connection he shared with his father. He enjoyed the trade until multiple sclerosis prevented him from working any longer. Jim fought the disease courageously for 24 years, without complaint.

Jim loved all aspects of all God’s creation. He had many pets in his lifetime and enjoyed birdwatching as a hobby. As a young man, he and his father went on many fishing trips to Canada, leading to his becoming an avid outdoorsman. Jim enjoyed camping and fishing, and could be found boating with his dog, Schnootzie, at Geneva-on-the-Lake every weekend. Jim also had the eye and heart of an artist. He was skilled with watercolors, painting landscapes and other nature scenes, and once received an award for wildlife photography submitted at the Canfield Fair.

Jim will be remembered as a loving son and brother, a generous-hearted man who maintained his wonderful sense of humor even until his last days.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his grandparents, Michael and Mary Salata, and Michael and Rose Berendt.

Jim leaves behind his loving sisters, Nancy Salata of Boardman and Judy (Frankie) Daniell of Savannah, Georgia. He also leaves one niece, Jennifer (Robert) Johns of Savannah, and many cousins, always having been especially close to his cousin, Jeanie Showalter.

He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that material tributes take the form of contributions to Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, 471 Mathews Road, Boardman, in memory of Jim.

Arrangements are being handled by Davis-Becker Funeral Home, 8536 Market Street in Boardman. Please visit www.beckerobits.com to share memories and condolences with Jim’s family.

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