Salvatore Joseph "Sal" Cali, 86, died peacefully on April 3, 2025.  He will be dearly missed by all who loved him.

Sal was born in Kansas City, Missouri on February 10, 1939, to Joseph and Lucile Cali.  He spent his childhood in the North End and graduated from Northeast High school.  He attended the University of Kansas City for college (now UMKC) and played on their men's college basketball team.

Sal was a hardworking man, with a warm, infectious smile, and a special gift for building relationships.  He never met a stranger. These qualities lent themselves well to his 25-year career in the food service industry, and especially when he "retired" and went on to spend each day working in sales at C&C Produce with his son Joe.  This was a beautiful gift that not many fathers and sons are lucky enough to have.

Sal was a loyal friend and had a keen appreciation for his many friendships from every facet of his life.   One Saturday a month, he gathered with a group of his baseball buddies at Anthony's Restaurant and always cherished this time.  Even when he could no longer drive, his friend RJ would pick him up, to make sure he could always be there to be with the guys.

Sal was an avid lover of sports.  In his youth he excelled at baseball and basketball, and in his later years, he focused his athleticism on the game of golf.  He loved all of his golf groups, but his favorite rounds were those that included any member of his family.  He was a proud Missourian and had been an active member of the Tiger Club of Kansas City.  He was a devoted Kansas City Royals fan, in good times and in bad, and up until the last two years he attended every Chiefs home game with his sons, and grandson.  Perhaps his most important athletic achievement was his ever presence on the sidelines of every game of whatever sport his grandchildren played.  He never missed a game and always paid well for baskets and hits.

Sal was a loving and dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, and he always put his family above all else. Sunday meals when we were all together were his favorite, and we will treasure that time with him always.  He and Christina enjoyed 42 beautiful years of marriage and were hardly ever apart.  Together they cared for their family, played golf, traveled and enjoyed their friends.  They were long-time members of St. Andrews parish, and his Catholic faith was an integral part of his life.

The family would like to extend a very special thanks to Sharon who helped thoughtfully care for Sal at home, and to the staff at McCrite - especially Murphy, Stacy and Joyce.  We will always be grateful for the dignified and loving way you cared for Sal, especially in his final days.

Sal is survived by his wife, Christina DeBlase Cali, his children Joe Cali (Pattie) and Sal Cessor (Libby).  He was blessed with four grandchildren, Brittanie Clark (Andrew), Sal Cali (Mikaela), Ellie and Sal Cessor; three great-grandsons, Charlie, JP and George Clark (due in April); and great-granddaughter Remi Benjamina.  He is also survived by his sister-in-law Vicki DeBlase Youngblood, and his brother-in-law Joe DeBlase.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Henry Cali and Lucile Donnici Cali; his mother-in-law Nora DeBlase; and his father-in-law Victor DeBlase.

Services will be held on Tuesday, April 8, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. with the Funeral Mass at 12:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Pallbearers: Salvatore Cali, Andrew Clark, Victor Cascio, John Conforti, Nick Conforti, Frank DeFeo.