SOUTH PORTLAND — Timothy C. Salce, 63, of South Portland, died unexpectedly at home March 14.

He was born Sept. 27, 1950, in Keene, N.H., the son of Alfred J. and Madeline M. Salce. He was a 1968 graduate of Keene High School and graduated from Keene State College in 1974, with a bachelor’s in liberal arts and psychology. As a member of the Boy Scouts of America, he was chosen to represent them at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico.

Theatre was his passion, and he was a gifted baritone. He performed in high school productions and in Lion’s Club plays in Keene, dinner theater in Boca Raton, Fla., on Broadway in New York City, and at Merrill Auditorium in Portland. During his years in New York, Salce worked professionally in daytime television, movies, studio work and numerous commercials.

His singing career took him from Broadway and club work to touring nationally with Broadway shows including “Jacques Brell,” “Carousel,” “Peter Pan,” “Evita,” “Camelot” and “South Pacific.” He also enjoyed doing premiere performances of “A Church is Born” and “Tribute to Sondheim” at Carnegie Hall.

In 1985, Salce met and fell in love with Jean DiPietro. They were married in 1991 and joined by daughter, Gabriella Grace in 1994. He loved singing, performing and touring; his greatest love was for his family and home. Just prior to the birth of their son Anthony Joseph, the Salces moved to South Portland to raise their young family.

In addition to his talents as a performer, he was a wonderful chef, and joined Churchill Catering in 1997, where he put his creative energies to work in the culinary arts. He later joined Whole Foods in Portland, and at the time of his death he worked in the prepared foods department.

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He supported his children’s activities in sports and the arts. He shared the gift of song with his daughter and they performed together in local dinner theater and benefits. Their spontaneous duets at home and family gatherings will be missed most of all.

For more than 10 seasons he performed in “The Best of Broadway” benefit for The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center.

He was predeceased by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Jean; daughter, Gabriella; son, Anthony; brother, Michael Salce and Linda; sister, Gayle and John Duplissie; his mother- and father-in-law, Sam and Helen DiPietro, of South Portland; brothers-in-law, Michael DiPietro and Jane, of Cape Elizabeth, Sam DiPietro, of South Portland, sister-in-law, Susan DiPietro and Robert Green, of South Portland; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The Salce’s would like to thank their neighbors and extended family, the Smiths and Tierney-Trevors, as well as South Portland First Responders for their compassion and support.

Visiting hours were held March 18 at Conroy–Tully Crawford, South Portland Chapel, South Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated March 19, at Holy Cross Church, South Portland. Interment in Calvary Cemetery.

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