Salvatore “Buddy” Rocco Picard, 92, of Southern Pines, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by the love of his family. Born in 1934 in Bridgeport, Pennsylvania, Sal lived a remarkable life defined by faith, family, service, hard work and an enduring enthusiasm for adventure.
Known as “Buddy” to his close-knit family and childhood friends, Sal grew up in an Italian American community as one of four children. As a young man, he loved sports and the outdoors, playing high school football and becoming an early enthusiast of water skiing on the Schuylkill River.
Sal proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1951 to 1954. Following his military service, he attended Villanova University under the GI Bill, graduating in 1956 with a degree in electrical engineering.
He went on to a distinguished career of more than 35 years in government service and defense-related engineering. At the Naval Air Warfare Center in Warminster, Pennsylvania, Sal helped advance military aviation technology and was a co-developer of the Automatic Carrier Landing System, first used aboard U.S. Navy aircraft carriers in 1968. His work took him around the world, including assignments with the U.S. Third Fleet in Honolulu, Hawaii, and the U.S. Sixth Fleet in Naples, Italy. He later worked in the Washington, D.C., area with PRC, an international defense consulting firm.
In 1960, Sal met the love of his life, Marlene. They married in 1962. During 64 years of marriage, they built a life filled with family, travel, shared projects and adventure.
Sal was happiest when he was building, fixing or creating something. A gifted designer, draftsman and problem solver, he could build a house, landscape a yard, handle electrical or plumbing work, paint a room or find a solution to almost any problem. Sal and Marlene designed and built homes together in Bucks County, Pennsylvania; Annapolis, Maryland; and Pinehurst. After moving to North Carolina, Sal served for many years as chairman of the Architectural Review Board at Mid South Club in Pinehurst.
Sal and Marlene were true partners in everything they did. When Marlene owned and operated a florist studio in Annapolis, Sal could be found beside her on weekends, setting up flowers for weddings and making deliveries. Together, they sailed the Severn River and Chesapeake Bay, played golf, traveled throughout the United States in their RV and explored Europe, China and other parts of Asia.
Sal believed in working hard and playing hard. He taught his children to ski, play football and soccer, sail, camp, appreciate nature and, most importantly, work hard. He included them in his projects and taught by example, building not only homes but memories that would last a lifetime.
He also believed strongly in serving others. Sal was active in Rotary and was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International for his commitment to helping others. A longtime member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, his faith was an important part of his life.
Above all, Sal loved his family. He was a devoted husband and father and a dedicated caretaker and friend to his adult son, Christopher. He took tremendous pride in his children and their accomplishments throughout their lives.
Sal also knew how to enjoy the simple things. He loved watching the Philadelphia Eagles, drinking a Rolling Rock beer, grilling outside in the summer, playing golf with Marlene and preparing special family dishes at the holidays, including his Italian spinach pizza. He and Marlene proudly carried on the Italian traditions they had grown up with and passed them along to their children.
Sal is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Marlene Picard; his son, Gregg Picard; his daughter, Dr. Nancy Picard; and his brother, Carmen Picard.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rose and Salvatore “Sullivan” Picard; his son, Christopher Picard, a U.S. Army veteran; his sister, Rosemary Picard; and his brother, Anthony Picard.
A memorial Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 300 Dundee Road, Pinehurst, at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6.
Sal will be laid to rest at Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Newtown, Pennsylvania, alongside his son, Christopher.
Sal’s legacy can be found in the family he cherished, the homes he built, the communities he served and the many people who benefited from his generosity and willingness to lend a hand. He was a wonderful husband, a loyal son and brother, a fantastic dad and a true friend. He loved his family with all his heart and will be deeply missed.
The family invites those who knew Sal to honor his memory by lending a helping hand, embracing an adventure and cherishing time with the people they love.
