April 24 2016: CIANCI, Salvatore N.

On Wednesday, April 20, 2016, of Silver Spring, MD. Beloved husband of Marlene H. Cianci; father of Sebastian M. Cianci, Joanne Cianci Hoff, and Salvatore M. Cianci; grandfather of Ryan and James Hoff; brother of Ann Yanchak; father-in-law of Joshua Hoff. Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), Tuesday, April 26, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Evangelist Historic Church, 9700 Rosensteel Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, on Wednesday, April 27 at 11 a.m. Entombment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad, 2400 Arcola Ave., Wheaton, MD 20902 or to a charity of your choice.

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Salvatore Nunzio Cianci, Ph.D., passed away on April 20, 2016 after a long illness.  A resident of Silver Spring since 1967, he recently celebrated his 86th birthday.

Sal was born in New Britain, CT on April 7, 1930, to Sebastiano and Josephine Cianci, both immigrants from Sicily.  Growing up in an immigrant family defined his work ethic, commitment to education, and dedication to family that was evident throughout his life.  

Upon earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees  in Psychology from the University of Connecticut, Sal enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he achieved the rank of Specialist (SP2 (7)) in the Infantry.  While stationed at Fort Benning, GA, he was part of the team that redesigned the firing range, replacing stationary targets with dynamic ones, in an effort to better simulate how soldiers would need to react in real world situations.

Armed with GI Bill benefits, he went straight from Fort Benning to a doctoral program in Psychology at the University of Michigan, focusing his studies on neuropsychology.  Upon achieving his Ph.D. in 1962, he conducted post-doctoral research at Johns Hopkins University.  

In 1963 he began his Federal civil service career as a psychologist, working on national security issues.  He always had a strong sense of dignity and believed in treating people fairly, characteristics that guided him in developing agency guidelines on the use of human subjects.  Beginning in 1976, Sal worked at multiple offices in the Department of Health & Human Services, focusing on research and treatment programs related to mental health and alcohol & substance abuse.   In 1994 Sal retired after 34 years of military and civil service.

Sal believed in the importance of education and tried to instill that in others around him.  He was an avid reader, puzzler, and sports fan.  Upon retirement from the Federal Government, he took continuing education classes at The Johns Hopkins Osher Program and assisted children with reading at the local elementary school.  He also continued to give back to the community by volunteering as a counselor with the Whitman-Walker Clinic, Mended Hearts, and the American Red Cross.

During his retirement, Sal and his wife Marlene loved to travel and learn about different cultures.  A favorite trip was a visit to Sicily, visiting relatives in the hometown of his parents.  They were active in several organizations celebrating the Italian-American community.

Sal is survived by his loving wife Marlene Cianci; his sons Sebastian and Salvatore Cianci; his daughter Joanne Cianci Hoff and her husband Joshua Hoff; two grandsons, Ryan and James Hoff; a sister, Ann Yanchak; nieces Gail DaMert, Debra Merenda, and Cheryl Hockenberry; and nephew Albin Yanchack.