Craig Flagler Palms reported that on June 18, at Craig Flagler Palms in Flagler Beach, Area Manager Sal Passalaqua, Jr. received the Service Corporation International (SCI) Operations Leadership Service Excellence Award.
Having worked for the firm for more than 20 years since 2004, Passalaqua was honored for his outstanding dedication to helping families through their most trying moments and for exemplifying Dignity Memorial’s fundamental values of providing superior care. Sal was one of only seven beneficiaries chosen from Dignity Memorial’s 25,000 employees countrywide after a tough selection process that started with roughly 1,000 nominations from the whole organization and was later reduced to 250 contenders and then to 28 finalists.
John Faulk, SCI’s Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, who flew in from Houston just to celebrate Sal’s accomplishment, noted that his application instantly stood out. I want things to be brief, direct, and to the point, but when I reached Sal’s application, I didn’t want it to finish. It was a perfect example of what makes our team members exceptional.
When Sal’s 16-year-old daughter, Alyna, gave a tribute that moved many in attendance to tears, it was possibly the most poignant moment of the evening. She acknowledged that her father’s profession is more than just a job; it’s a responsibility that many people might not be able to handle, but my dad handled it with heart, grace, and complete dedication. “Words will never be enough to express how proud I am of you,” she added. Her statement, “You’ve shown me what it means to work hard as you’ve carried others in their darkest moments,” perfectly encapsulated the human sacrifice that underlies Sal’s commitment to his career.
Established in 2007, the SCI Service Excellence Award program acknowledges and recognizes SCI and Dignity Memorial personnel throughout North America for going above and beyond the call of duty by providing exceptional service and promoting the company’s service excellence culture. Recipients are chosen based on their exceptional accomplishments in providing families with professional, courteous, and compassionate care.
It is truly humbled to receive this Service Excellence Award. Passalaqua went on. I’m appreciative of the faith that families have in us and the incredible staff at Craig Flagler Palms, who enable us to provide compassionate and dignified service to our community. After working for our company for more than 20 years, I’m constantly reminded that our work is about much more than just business; it’s about supporting families in their time of need.
Passalaqua’s stellar record of community service is further enhanced by their most recent accolade. His dedication to giving back goes well beyond his work responsibilities, as evidenced by the 2021 Association of Nonprofit Professionals Outstanding Philanthropist award he got for his work at Flagler County’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
