EAST OTIS – Ziter Saloomey, 83, of East Otis passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, September 20th, in the care and comfort of his loving wife Linda and his family. Ziter was born in Westfield, Massachusetts on November 13th, 1942, a beloved son of the late Ziter and Vera (Sarkis) Saloomey.
As the owner and founder of Saloomey Construction, Inc., Ziter spent over 40 years as a hardworking, determined and deeply respected man who built so much more than a successful business. Through his dedication, vision, and countless hours of hard work, he built a legacy that will live on for generations. Those who knew him knew him as a kind, gentle friend, mentor and leader, someone you could always count on.
To his family, he was so much more, he was the loving husband to his wife of eight years, Linda Saloomey and was considered the ultimate girl dad to five daughters, Tammy Tavernia (Lee) of Southwick, MA, Joanna Bailey (Bill) of East Otis, MA, Amy Saloomey-Scarpa (Seth Germain) of Westfield, MA, Sara Loring (Tony) of Otis, MA and Star O’Brien (Michael) of East Otis, MA. He was the proudest grandfather to twelve beautiful children, that he fondly referred to as “The Dirty Dozen”, Darby Stewart (Sawyer), Keelin O’Rourke (Sean) and Riley Bailey, Blaze and Baylee Tavernia, Isabella and Sophia Scarpa, Jack and Erin O’Brien, Megan, Will and Charlie Loring and most recently as great-grandfather to three beautiful little ladies, Tiegan Stewart, Presleigh O’Rourke and Wynslee Tavernia.
The legacy he is leaving us with will allow his family to look around the family “compound” he built and be constantly reminded of his presence and how hard he worked for his family. His wife, daughters and their families will forever get to walk around that beautiful property on Otis Reservoir and be reminded of the endless love he had for his daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents and four sisters, Star, Selma, Carole and Diana, Ziter is predeceased by his loving wife of 48 years, Carole Ann Saloomey and his grandson, Jack William O’Brien.
He leaves behind his brother, Richard Saloomey and his wife Barbara of Westfield and their two children and their families; Rick Saloomey (Colleen) of Westfield and Kristen Saloomey McMaster (Steve) of New York City and countless cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews that he deeply loved and adored.
Calling hours for Ziter will be held on Sunday, September 27th, 2026, from 3-7 p.m. in Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad Street, Westfield, MA 01085. The Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, September 28th, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 375 Island Pond Road, Springfield, MA 01118. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Smile Like Jack Memorial Fund, 62B School Street, Westfield MA, 01085 and at Smilelikejack.com or St. Anthony’s Maronite Catholic Church, 375 Island Pond Road, Springfield, MA 01118. www.firtionadams.com
