Salvatore J. "Sammy" Todaro, 79, of Palmer Twp. and a longtime resident of Phillipsburg, died Sunday, January 11, 2004 in Easton Hospital.

He was a construction foreman and shop steward for the Laborer's Union of North America, Local 569, Washington, N.J., retiring in 1988.

Born October 19, 1924 in Phillipsburg, he was a son of the late Sebastiano and Anna Insana Todaro.

He graduated Phillipsburg High School in 1942.

He was a member of St. Philip and St. James Catholic Church, Phillipsburg.

An Army veteran of World War Two, he served under General Patton's 3rd Army and with the 179th Combat Engineers in the campaigns in Ardennes, Central Europe, Northern France and Rhineland. He was awarded the European African Middle Eastern, Good Conduct and World War Two Service Medals.

He was a lifetime member of V.F.W. Post, 1290, Easton and a 50 year Gold Card member of Laborer's International Union of North America, Local 593, Somerville, N.J.

Survivors include a twin brother, Joseph A. Todaro of Catasauqua; three sisters, Rose Gianetto of Pacific Palisades, Calif., and Grace M. Todaro and Anne Marie Grando, with whom he resided; four nephews, two nieces, six great nieces, three great nephews and a great-great nephew. A brother, Peter C., and a sister, Lena A. Leardi both died earlier.

Funeral services will be held 9:00 a.m. Friday, in the Noto-Wynkoop Funeral Home, 289 South Main St., Phillipsburg. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. in the church, 426 South Main St., Phillipsburg. A calling hour will be held from 8:00 a.m. until time of services in the funeral home Friday. Burial will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine, Palmer Twp.