Columbus, OH — John Salvi, 94, of Canonsburg, Pa., died Feb. 3, 2023, at the Greenery Rehabilitation Center near his home.

Mr. Salvi was a successful Standardbred trainer for many years at The Meadows and Pompano Park. He was active in representing Meadows horsemen through the 1970s and ‘80s and was a founding member of the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association in 1976.

John Salvi with Damascus. Provided photo.

Horses in the John Salvi barn were cared for and cared about, their welfare always paramount. Among the more accomplished were a precocious pair of brothers, Damascus and The Consigliori, who took on the best open pacers on the grounds for the better part of two decades. Walkin Boots was a charismatic trotter who seldom lost on the old Meadows tartan surface of the early 1970s. Lauri Lobell won a few Grand Circuit stakes in 1974 for owners Adrian and Helen Davis while under Mr. Salvi’s care.

Mr. Salvi was born in Canonsburg on Feb. 28, 1928, to the late Ilario and Margherita Salvi, He proudly served with the United States National Guard in the Korean Conflict.

His beloved wife, Carol Ann (Harker), died in March 2018. He was also preceded in death by his parents; brother, Nick, who was killed in World War II; and sisters, Rose (Chuck) Rubis and Ann (Paul) Clark. He is survived by his son, Nick; daughter, Barbary Salvi Sanderson and her children, Cody, Carly and Cecilia; and niece, Sharon Franconeri.

No services are scheduled.

Memorial contributions may be made to any of the recognized Standardbred repurposing organizations.