Charles A. “Chuck” Salvano

March 7th, 1943 - January 23rd, 2023

Charles 's Memory Wall

We encourage you to share your most beloved memories of Charles here, so that the family and other loved ones can always see it. Share your favorite stories or comment on those shared by others.

Coach Salvano touched many lives, mine included. I played JV football for him in 1977. One of my favorite memories of Coach was many years later... During my tenure as a football coach, I had the privilege of coaching Chuck's great nephew, Justin. Coach Salvano made my day by attending Justin's games. Coach would always take the time to congratulate me and talk afterward! The world lost a great man! I will cherish his memory and mentorship until we meet again! Tom Eversole, LHS class of 1980

Tom Eversole

January 30th, 2023 at 9:38am

Mr. Salvano was a special man to me, with a huge heart for teaching and helping kids and athletes...I am certain my story is just one of MANY student athletes that were lucky enough to have him as a teacher and\or coach over his many years at LHS.
Looking back from 2023, it might be hard to believe where LHS was then vs today. It was a different time for student athletes in the Stevensville school district, with the community school millage failing. The result was that all freshmen sports at LHS were cut in 1983 and any student athletes interested in participating in sports at the high school were then required to try out for a JV squad.
After my freshman JV season - as a sophomore, coach faced rebuilding the football program after Coach Price left and after the school budget impacts but was up to the task. Coach in '84 invited me to play varsity with my older brother Pat. At the time however my mother being diagnosed with breast cancer and the need to backfill in the family restaurant on busy Friday nights in our little hometown I was not able to take advantage of coach's generous offer. Coaches' offer and his continued interest\investment in me motivated me to train hard in the off season so that I would be ready my junior year.
Junior year my I was tackling life, school, and athletes without both of my parents after my mother passed and that is when coach came along side me in my athletic journey. Coach even added Terry Rose to the LHS defensive coaching staff that year. With coaches help I was one of 4 underclassmen defensive "Dragons" to receive All Conference defensive recognition that year. (1 of a total of 6 LHS teammates in 1985). Coach really made 1985 a special year for our team and me despite all the obstacles he had to overcome. Senior Night Chuck and Sally even stood in for my parents 1985 and planned ahead for the 1986 season and pulled in my older brother Steve to come in from out of town for parents' night senior year. At the end of that season, coach stopped by my parents' restaurant to make sure I received an end of year MVP award my teammates had voted on - even though I was working that night and couldn't attend the year end banquet. Mr. Salvano was the real MVP for personally stopping bye to make sure I received it!
1986 was also a challenge for coach, as the school's financial situation improved and the athletic department launched the first ever LHS boys' soccer team...interest was very high in the new sport and as a result we had just 17 varsity players on the football squad that year - not even enough to scrimmage 11 vs. 11 in practice daily- but to his credit, coach pivoted and combined the JV and Varsity team practices in order to compete our senior season.
Previously having Mr. Salvano as my math teacher - I am sure he was aware of my dyslexia and learning challenges I encountered with my studies but yet he was ALWAYS encouraging me,
Graduating in 1986 with average grades it was unlikely I would continue to college with my peers or having any thought of continuing in athletics, - However, Chuck and his entire coaching staff hatched an idea to submit an entry for me to the 13th annual '86 Michigan High School East West All Star game. – (I had no idea) I was blessed with the opportunity to make the cut because of his investment in me. That gave me the confidence to know that what I learned on the gridiron at LHS and in the classroom could be applied at the next level. Chuck kept me motivated to continue my education and sports dreams in college with a full athletic scholarship to WMU. Thank you for all your support - it truly changed my life and opened invisible doors that would most likely have never been opened.
Chuck Salvano is cut from the same mold of the likes of other LHS greats - always be remembered by me as one of the legendary coaches at LHS that changed so many lives - including mine!

David McGrath

January 28th, 2023 at 1:45pm

My condolences to Sally and family. Chuck was such a wonderful man with a smile for everyone. He was our swim coach and life guard at Berrien Hills when we were kids in the 60s. He let us get away with our high jinx, but not too far. He just was a good guy and I think that speaks volumes about a person. One story - it was his first year teaching at St Joe Jr High and I saw him in the stairwell - me going up and Chuck going down. It was one of the first days of school after being with him at Berrien all summer, and I said "Hi Chuck." He stopped, turned around and said, 'It's Mr Salvano here at school.'" I was shocked. But, as Chuck would do he gave that little smile that let me know it was all right. Chuck and Sally came to our class reunion in June 2022 and was so happy he made it. Peace and Love to you all....

David Knight

January 27th, 2023 at 1:01pm

I wanted to write a few things that stood out to me personally about Chuck. He was a passionate football coach who I had the honor of playing for in 1975. His demeanor was everything you'd want in a coach with fiery, inspirational and often funny pregame speeches. He was very instrumental in what I and I'm sure many grew to become not just athletically but as a men. I don't express this lightly. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, his family and all that had the distinct honor of knowing him. Love you, Coach, Mike

Mike Mason

January 26th, 2023 at 1:41pm

I have so many memories of Chuck when I was a Berrien Hills summer kid in the 60s -- first in the Shack and then at the pool, where he was one of my swimming coaches. Although he didn't profess to know much about swimming technique, he knew how to motivate and make the sport fun, making me a stronger swimmer. When I got to Junior High at St. Joe and he was a teacher, it was so difficult to acknowledge him as Mr. Salvano, rather than Chuck, because he had endeared himself to me and so many other young swimmers at BHCC.