Salvatore Siani, 90

Forty-year Laguna resident was a noted haberdasher and a dedicated fisherman.Salvatore Siani, a 40-year resident of Laguna Beach, died last summer, on June 10, at the age of 90.

An Italian immigrant, tailor and clothing manufacturer, he lived an eventful life and surmounted many challenges.

Born Dec. 4, 1914, in the small town of Contursi, Italy, he was one of eight children in a town where there were only three trades to choose from -- barber, shoemaker and tailor. At the age of six, early in the morning before going to school, he had to go to the tailoring masters to heat up the coals so that the irons would be hot when the masters started their day.

At the age of 10, he sewed pants after school. Since his dream was to be an attorney, his family sent him to a seminary in order to continue his education. Unfortunately, at the age of 17 he lost his father, and this dream was cut short. Being determined and hardworking, he accepted the responsibilities at an early age to help support his family by returning to his trade of tailoring.

Soon after, World War II started and he joined the Italian army. His entire battalion was killed, but he was spared when he looked down to see the enemy English soldier’s bayonet under his armpit. He was taken captive and was a prisoner of war in Egypt for five and a half years, where he endured great suffering, had little or no food, and withstood hot desert temperatures with little or no water.

During this period, he was shot through the neck, the bullet entering one side and exiting the other side. Afterward, he received a medal of honor. When he returned back home after the war, he learned that his family had held a memorial for him because they had been informed that his whole battalion was destroyed.

Returning home, he accepted the position of director of the mineral baths and spa in Contursi. However, wanting a greater opportunity to grow in his field, he emigrated to the United States.

His first position in the U.S. was as a quality supervisor with Petrocelli Suits in New York. Later, in 1955, he accepted a position as quality manager for Jackmans, maker of high-end handmade suits, located in California.

Oct. 25, 1956, was a personal turning point in his life: He met his wife, Maria, to whom he would be married for 42 years.

In 1962, his craftsmanship was so well-known in the clothing industry that he was contracted for two years as a top manager with Chester-Barrie Clothes in Cheshire, England. After four months, he asked Maria to join him in England for their marriage. They married July 4, 1963.

The couple’s daughter, Sandra, was born July 1,1964, and shortly afterward the family moved to Laguna Beach.

In 1970, he opened his own custom manufacturing business, Siani’s Clothes, in the historic Oviatt building in downtown Los Angeles. He commuted from Laguna Beach to Los Angeles for 15 years, determined to keep his family in a smog-free area and to keep his daughter in the best schools. After spending many hours on the freeway, he always arrived home with a smile and a helping hand.

His favorite hobby was fishing at Fisherman’s Cove, where he would cast out and minutes later reel in three fish at a time.

When asked what he was using for bait, he would reply, “frozen green peas.” He would invite his neighbors for fish fries and was nicknamed “The Fisherman.”

In 1980, he decided to open a haberdashery in Newport Beach -- Siani’s Custom Apparel. Due to his expertise, he was engaged to make apparel for the movie studios and some of the stars’ private wardrobes. Unfortunately, that all came to an end on Feb. 25, 1987, when he had a severe stroke and brain surgery. A strong-willed person, he beat the odds and survived another 18 years.

He is survived by his wife, Maria, and daughter, Sandra.