Juan Dario Salamanca

Juan Dario Salamanca, born June 24, 1935 of Jersey City, New Jersey, passed away in his home on Friday, October 2, 2026. He was born in Pamplona, Norte de Santander, Colombia in 1935. Before emigrating to the USA, he was a transit police officer in Colombia, also known as “Tamalero”, selling tamales for his mother. In his 30s, he came to New York to establish a better life for his family, and later, in the early 1980s, his family joined him to settle in Jersey City.  He worked tirelessly in different roles to support his family and made sure to assist the community, known as the “handyman of the neighborhood”.  

Even while working tirelessly, he still made sure he had time set aside for his family, taking time off during his children’s breaks from school.  

Juan Dario was a devoted husband, father, brother, abuelo, uncle, and friend. He was adventurous, noble, humble, generous, caring, and full of personality.  

Abuelito Dario was a man of faith and loved his children and grandchildren dearly. He leaves behind his wife of 63 years, Florelia. Loving father of Gladys, Pilar, Juan Carlos and his wife Patricia, and Ruben and his wife Denise. Loving grandfather to Ericka Leynes and Laura, Sofia, and Joseph Salamanca. He is also survived by his only remaining sibling Celina Arismendi, his brother-in-law, Pedro Mendoza who was like a son to him, and long time friend Tulio Gomez and wife Maria whose friendship originated many years ago in Colombia. 

He was a dedicated Catholic and member of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Jersey City for over 40 years. 

Juan Dario was a father figure to many relatives in his life, and many nicknamed him “papi” throughout the neighborhood.  
He is received with open arms in heaven by his family who passed before him, including 9 out of his 10 siblings: Manuel, Luis, Jose Asuncion, Jose Maria, Rosa Julia, Andres, Mercedes, Antonio, and Juan Esteban. 

He loved animals, travel, and spending time with his loved ones. Even in his last days he would somehow find the energy to spend time with family, telling jokes, sharing stories of the past and playing table games.

Juan Dario leaves behind a family who loved him deeply and will keep his memory alive by continuing to reminisce about old times and play dominoes, which he mustered up the strength to play a couple of last rounds just the night before.

Visitation will be held on Monday, October 5, 2026, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Riotto Funeral Home & Cremation Company, 3205 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, NJ, 07306 (For GPS it is best to use our parking lot address: 14 Stagg St., Jersey City) Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church, 511 Pavonia Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306. Interment to follow at Holy Name Cemetery, 823 West Side Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306.

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Juan Dario Salamanca, 91 años, de Jersey City, Nueva Jersey, falleció en casa el Viernes, 2 de Octubre, 2026. Nació en Pamplona, Norte de Santander, Colombia.  Antes de emigrar a los Estados Unidos, era un oficial de tránsito en Colombia, conocido como  “el  tamalero”, puesto que también vendía los tamales hechos por su mamá.  A los 30 años, emigró a los Estados Unidos para establecer una mejor calidad de vida para su familia, se estableció  en Nueva York . Antes de residir en Nueva Jersey con su familia. Él trabajaba incansablemente, pero se aseguraba de reservar tiempo para su familia. 

Siempre fue un gran esposo, padre, hermano, abuelo, tío y amigo. Era aventurero, noble, humilde, responsable, generoso, cariñoso y lleno de personalidad. El Abuelito Dario quería mucho a sus hijos y nietos.

Su Esposa de 63 años, Florelia, mantiene la memoria de él y su hermoso matrimonio. 

Querido padre de Gladys, Pilar, Juan Carlos y su esposa Patricia, y Ruben y su esposa Denise.  Abuelito de Ericka Leynes y Laura, Sofia y José Antonio Salamanca. Tambien es recordado por su hermana Celina Arismendi, su cuñado Pedro Mendoza al quien él veía como un hijo, y su amigo inseparable Tulio Gomez y esposa Maria, una amistad que comenzó hace muchos años en Colombia. 

Fue un  devoto católico y miembro en la Iglesia Catolica de San Jose en Jersey City por mas de 40 años. Juan Dario fue una figura paternal a muchos familiares en su vida, y muchos amigos del vecindario  le decían “papi”. Es recibido con brazos abiertos por 9 de sus 10 hermanos: Manuel, Luis, Jose Asuncion, Jose Maria, Rosa Julia, Andres, Mercedes, Antonio, y Juan Esteban. 

Él amaba los animales, le encantaba viajar, y le encantaba pasar tiempo con sus queridos. Hasta en sus últimos días, encontró la fuerza para pasar tiempo con su familia contando chistes y cuentos de las travesuras que habian hecho los Salamancas cuando jovenes, ademas jugando bingo y domino, cuales disfruto hasta la ultima noche jugando varias rondas con su familia. Juan Dario deja una familia que lo amaba muchísimo y lo recordarán por siempre, de igual manera reuniéndonos y disfrutando lo que él amaba: la vida de familia. 

El velatorio se llevará a cabo el lunes, 5 de octubre de 2026, de 5:00 p.m. a 9:00 p.m. en Riotto Funeral Home & Cremation Company, 3205 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, NJ, 07306 (Para GPS es mejor usar la dirección de nuestro estacionamiento: 14 Stagg St., Jersey City) La misa fúnebre se llevará a cabo el martes, 6 de octubre de 2026, a las 10:30 a.m. en St. Joseph's Church, 511 Pavonia Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306. El entierro tendrá lugar a continuación en Holy Name Cemetery, 823 West Side Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306.