SALEM - Sam S. Spatafore, 86, husband of Rose M. (Dziadyk) Spatafore, of Salem, died Tuesday, March 20, 2012 peacefully at his residence, following a long life of giving to his family and community.
Born and educated in Clarksburg, WV, he was the son of the late Joseph and Rosa (Devono) Spatafore.
A Coast Guard veteran of WWII, Sam served on a Cutter doing Convoy Duty in the North Atlantic and attained the rating of Boatswain’s Mate, Second Class.
Prior to his retirement, he owned and operated Spatafore & Son, a millwright and industrial boiler manufacturing and service company for over 30 years.
A communicant of the St. Thomas the Apostle Church, he served as Eucharistic Minister, alter server and was a member of several committees over the years. During a trip to Italy in 1980, Rose and Sam had a private audience and blessing with Pope John Paul II.
Active in the community, he served on the Selective service System Board and was Chairman of the Salem Off Street Parking Board, both for 20 years. He was a baseball coach in both the Pony League and Connie Mac League and was an assistant Scout Master. Serving as a board member of Family Quarters, Inc, in Peabody, Sam was active in support of the developmentally disabled since 1959.
He was past Supreme Commander of the International Order of Alhambra, Past Grand Knight and 4th degree member of Leo Council #508, Knights of Columbus, Past President of the Italian American Citizens Club, Peabody, and member of the Italian Community Center, Beverly.
Besides his wife, with whom he shared over 66 years of marriage, he is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Joseph S. and Clara M. Spatafore of Peabody, 3 grandsons, Steven J. Spatafore and Michael J. Spatafore, both of Peabody, Eric J. Spatafore of Clarksburg, WV, 2 brother and their spouses, John & Glory Spatafore, Jobey and Jay Spatafore, 2 sisters, Louise Ventura, Genevieve Linville, and several nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Frank Spatafore, Anna Oliverio and Mary Marra.
His funeral service will be held Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 10 am from the Full-Spychalski Funeral Home, 84 Washington Square East, by Salem Common, Salem, followed by a funeral Mass at 11 am at St. Thomas The Apostle Church, North St., Salem, at the Peabody line. Visiting hours are Monday, 4 to 8 pm. Burial is in St. Mary Cemetery, Salem. Relative and friends invited. For those who desire, donations may be made in Sam’s memory to the Alhambra Endowment Fund, C/O Order of Alhambra, 4200 Leeds Ave., Baltimore, MD 21229-5496. For on-line guestbook and directions, visit www.SalemFuneral.com.