PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Roger V. Sala, 85, died peacefully in his Pittsfield home on Tuesday, September 25, 2018.

He was born in North Adams on March 4, 1933, the son of Charles D. and Marceline V. (Monette) Sala. He was a graduate of Drury High School and was a proud veteran of the Korean War, serving in the Navy on the submarine, USS Tusk. 

Roger was an active and well-known presence in the local boxing scene during the 1960s and 70s, managing six different fighters to New England Championships. He was employed throughout his life in the field of sales, including as sales manager and trainer.

Roger will be greatly missed by his wife of 60 years, Mary T. (McGovern) Sala; and his four children, Roger Sala of Sutton, Marcy Sala of Amherst, Gene Sala and his wife Debbie of Adams, and Gia Young and her husband Brian of Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. He is also survived by his nine grandchildren, Nicholas, Max and Isabella Young, Joseph Russell, Daniel, Claudia and Natalie Sala, and Gene and Sam Sala, on whose lives he had a deeply loving and lasting impact. He was also blessed with one great-grandchild, Andrik Lenski-Sala, who brought him special joy during his waning months of life.

Along with his parents, Roger was predeceased by his beloved sister, Dorothy Bliss; and brother-in-law and close friend, Timothy McGovern. He is survived by several other sisters and brothers-in-law and nieces and nephews, with whom he shared a close bond of affection.

Roger was a man of great charm, wit, intelligence and courage who gave generously of himself in all areas of his life, especially in the realm of family, where his gifts of love and devotion showed no bounds.  

Funeral notice: Services will take place Friday, September 28, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. from the Flynn & Dagnoli-Bencivenga Funeral Home, 5 Elm St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at St. Charles Church, 89 Briggs Avenue, Pittsfield, with the Rev. A. Peter Gregory, Pastor Emeritus of St. Charles Church, officiating. 

Burial will follow in the Family Plot at St. Joseph's Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home will be   Friday, September 28, 2018, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in honor of Roger’s grandnephew, Samuel McGovern, may be made to The Jimmy Fund (Boston) in care of the funeral home.