Inasmuch as Sal Testa's death devastated many, his loss was felt profoundly at the Arthur Kill Correctional Facility, where Sal and his wife, Joan, volunteered with the Catholic Chapel for some 25 years.

The Testas were part of the "Residents Encounter Christ" prayer group, which each Friday evening would spread the Gospel's "good news" to inmates.  The couple was also known to participate in yearly prison retreats.  Unable to attend his funeral, the inmates scheduled a Month's Mind Mass for Sal on March 20 in the Blessed Virgin Chapel at the Charleston facility.

Sal's family and other volunteers attended the memorial mass, which was offered by the Rev. Thomas Devery, pastor of Holy Child R.C. Church, the Testas' Eltingville parish. Father Devery was assisted by the Rev. Frank Naccarato, prison chaplain.  "His prison ministry touched us here," said Father Devery, citing "Sal's sense of humor, which was his special gift."

John Buonviaggio, a volunteer with Testa, told Sal's family "these were Sal's boys. This was Sal's garden, to nurture, to prune, to help them grow."  An inmate giving testimony told how Testa helped inmates change their lives.  "Sal put that special part of himself in our heart, he was a second family to us all." Choked up, he continued, "He could melt us tough guys with his jokes. I am from Hell's Kitchen. The day Sal died, I cried. And I never cry."

While expressing thanks to the family, prison superintendent, Dennis Breslin noted that "volunteers make a big difference to the inmates, and Sal was a great example of this. We are grateful for his 25 years of service."  Breslin presented Sal's wife of 50 years with a plaque inscribed with the biblical beatitude "I was in prison and you came to visit me." With tears in her eyes, Joan Testa asked that the plaque be hung in the chapel and announced she will continue his legacy: "I will still be here on Friday nights."