Salvatore Cumella

August 6, 1929 ~ September 26, 2024

Salvatore Cumella was 95 years old.  He is survived by his son, Thomas and his dog, Luca.  He is predeceased by his wife Joan, his daughter Joanne and his second wife, Terry.  He is also survived by his step children Joann and James.  He was an Army veteran.

Sal made hats.  His mentor was Mr. John. With him Sal made hats for, among others, Judy Garland, Aretha Marlene Dietrich and Carol Channing; and he snuck remnants to Gypsy Rose Lee.  He started his own hat manufacturing company and continued until he retired at 75.  His various labels were Mr. John, Adolfo, Halston, Oscar de la Renta. With his partner, Ramon Moreno, he managed to sustain a thriving hat business based in Beacon, NY, even though hats were no longer fashionable.  Once, he did leave the business, but, when he realized there was a market for "church lady" hats, he returned to it, resilient as always, making hats for Saks and hats for mom & pop shops like "Hats for the Holy Woman."  No matter what setbacks he encountered, Sal always found another way; perhaps this was his ticket to 95.

Sal made hats; he designed, sewed, blocked and trimmed hats; he took apart sewing machines; he gambled on big inventory; he negotiated government contracts; he ran a factory and showroom. One of his hats, handmade for Oscar de la Renta, is in the permanent Costume Collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The son of poor Sicilian immigrants, Sal was an artist, a businessman, a believer in talent and a loving father.

(In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to ASPCA.)

A graveside service with military honors will be held at Cedar Hill Cemetery on Wednesday, October 2 at 11 AM.