Salvatore Rocco Picard

Salvatore “Buddy” Rocco Picard

 Salvatore “Buddy” Rocco Picard, 92, of Southern Pines, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family.

A devoted husband, father, veteran, engineer, builder, and friend, Sal lived a life defined by faith, service, craftsmanship, and generosity. A longtime member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, he was a faithful Christian whose kindness, humility, and willingness to help others left a lasting impression on all who knew him.  A memorial mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 11 am Friday November 6 (300 Dundee Road, Pinehurst, NC). 

Sal is affectionately remembered by his beloved wife of 64 years, Marlene Picard; his son, Gregg Picard; his daughter, Dr. Nancy Picard; and his brother, Carmen Picard. He was preceded in death by his son, Christopher Picard, a U.S. Army veteran; his sister, Rosemary Picard; his brother, Anthony Picard; and his parents, Rose and Salvatore (Sullivan) Picard.

Born in Bridgeport, Pennsylvania, in 1934, Salvatore was one of four children raised in an Italian American community. As a young man, he developed a love for the outdoors, becoming an early enthusiast of water skiing on the Schuylkill River and a dedicated high school football player. He attended Bridgeport Elementary School and High School, as well as St. Matthew’s High School. He was known to his close-nit community of family and friends as “Buddy” throughout his entire life, and as Sal to others.

Sal proudly served in the United States Army from 1951 to 1954. Following his military service, he attended Villanova University under the GI Bill and graduated in 1956 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He then embarked on a distinguished career of more than 35 years in government service as a civilian Electric Engineering Project Manager in US Naval Systems specializing in engineering management, research, and development in Naval Air War systems.

Sal spent the early years of his career at the Naval Air Warfare Center in Warminster, Pennsylvania, where he helped advance military aviation technology. Notably, he was a co-developer of the Automatic Carrier Landing System first utilized by U.S. Navy aircraft aboard aircraft carriers in 1968. His expertise led him to assignments around the world, including work in anti-submarine warfare and service as a consultant to the U.S. Third Fleet in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1973, and later to the U.S. Sixth Fleet in Naples, Italy, in 1980. He concluded his career in Washington, D.C., with PRC, an international defense consulting firm.

In 1960, Sal met the love of his life, Marlene. Also from Pennsylvania, after a year apart when Marlene worked as an X-ray technician in California, the two reunited and married in 1962. Together they built a remarkable life centered on family, adventure, and shared purpose.

An avid traveler, Sal and Marlene explored America from coast to coast in their RV on two extended cross-country journeys. They also traveled extensively with their children, enjoying family camping trips in Maine and notably European adventures abroad. Sal and Marlene traveled extensively throughout China and other parts of Asia. Throughout their marriage, they also designed and built several homes together in Bucks County, Pennsylvania; Annapolis, Maryland; and Pinehurst, North Carolina.

Sal’s talents extended far beyond engineering. He was a gifted designer, draftsman, builder, landscaper, electrician, plumber, painter, athlete and problem solver. Whether constructing a home, volunteering for Rotary in community events, playing the guitar at home or trombone in a local band, and always creating something with his own hands. He approached every task with skill and enthusiasm. Marlene owned and ran her own florist studio in Annapolis and Sal could be found side by side with his wife on the weekends, setting up flowers in churches for weddings, and making home deliveries. They also loved to sail up and down the Severn River and Chesapeake Bay. Upon moving to Pinehurst, he and Marlene built their own home, impressing others so much that he also served for many years as chairman of the Architectural Review Board at Mid South Club in Pinehurst.

His greatest joy was always found in hard work and hard play; Sal loved to be active. He and Marlene played golf together regularly. Sal taught his children to ski, play football and soccer, sail, appreciate nature, camp, and work hard. He welcomed them into his projects, teaching by example and working side by side to build not only homes, but lifelong memories. He was a loving father, devoted husband, and dedicated caretaker and friend to his adult son Christopher.

Sal also devoted countless hours to community service. During his years in Annapolis, he was honored with the Paul Harris Fellow Award from Rotary International in recognition of his commitment to helping others. He remained active in Rotary organizations throughout his life and contributed many years of volunteer service to his local communities.

Salvatore Picard’s legacy lives on in the family he cherished, the communities he served, the homes he built, and the lives he touched through his kindness, faith, and generosity. He loved watching the Philadelphia Eagles, drinking Rolling Rock beer, grilling outside in the summer and making special meals during the holidays such as Italian spinach pizza. He and Marlene continued Italian traditions at home, and took great pride in their children’s accomplishments then and as adults. He was a great husband, a loyal son and brother, and a fantastic dad. He loved his family with all his heart. Always enthusiastic in the face of challenge, he will be greatly missed.

Service and Remembrance

Sal will be laid to rest at Veterans Affairs Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Newtown, Pennsylvania, alongside his son Christopher, united in faith and service.

 The family invites all who knew Sal to remember him by lending a helping hand, embracing an adventure, and cherishing time spent with loved ones, just as he did throughout his extraordinary life.