Sad News: Long-Time DPW Employee and Melrose Resident Peter Salayko Passes Away

Today, the Melrose Department of Public Works (DPW) led a funeral processional from Gately Funeral Home in honor of long-time DPW employee and Melrose resident Peter J. Salayko, who passed away on December 7, 2022, at age 73. The processional ended at Pine Grove Cemetery in Lynn where he was interred with his family. 

Peter was born in Lynn to the late Peter & Mary (Trainor) Salayko. He was raised in Lynn, graduated from Lynn High School, and began his career working for the City of Lynn in the public works department from 1971 to 1981.

In 1983, he joined the City of Melrose Public Works Department, where he was a dedicated and hard worker until his retirement in 2010. After he retired, he continued to work part-time for the City of Melrose and could be seen daily keeping the downtown business district clean as a whistle.  

“It is with great sadness that we have had to say good bye to Peter,” said Elena Proakis Ellis, DPW Director for the City of Melrose. “Peter was well known around Melrose for his hard work, his spirited conversations, and his kind heart. He was a long-time member of our DPW family and will be dearly missed by his many friends at the City Yard.” 

Peter was a big sports fan, especially the Patriots, and loved to go deep sea fishing, watch James Bond movies, and watch reruns of the 3 Stooges and Abbott & Costello.  

Peter was a longtime member of the Melrose Elks and enjoyed going to the Trackside Café and Melrose Diner for a cup of coffee and a blueberry muffin. Peter and his friend Paul liked traveling to Boston on Saturday mornings and then stopping at the Pearl Street Station in Malden on the way home for lunch. He was the brother of the late John Salayko, a dear friend of Paul J. Gould of Melrose and the late Paul Denahy, and had numerous friends in the Melrose Public Works Department and the Melrose Elks, as well as throughout the City of Melrose.  

Rest in Peace, Peter.