With deep love and gratitude, we share the news of the passing of our beloved father, Rudolph Valaria “Sam” Sambrano, who died peacefully at his home in Swampscott, Massachusetts, on March 31, 2026, at the age of 93. He lived a full and spirited life, shaped by family, faith, and lively conversation.
Rudolph was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, in 1932 and began his working life as a jeweler, crafting fine pieces with steady hands and meticulous attention to detail. In the early 1970s, he and his beloved wife, Shirley, emigrated to the United States and built a new life together in Brooklyn, New York, where their home quickly became a gathering place filled with laughter, music, and food for family and friends.
As a young man in the early 1950s, while training on his fixed-gear bicycle around the Queens Park Savannah, Rudolph was captivated by the horses that trained and raced alongside him and discovered a lifelong passion for horse racing. His cycling soon led him into competitive racing at the Queens Park Oval, where his determination and grit earned him a strong reputation among his fellow Trini fixed-gear riders and a collection of trophies.
His love of sports extended well beyond the track and the stadium. As a young man, he found joy in swimming in the ocean and spending time at Maracas Bay and Manzanilla Beach.
Later in life, Rudolph worked for Amtrak, serving on the railroads and turning his experiences on the rails into the vivid stories he loved to share.
He was a devoted husband to Shirley, who predeceased him 19 years ago, and he carried her memory tenderly for the rest of his days. Rudolph is survived by his four children, Ricardo Sambrano (Julia), Narda Ulian (Mark), Ray Sambrano (Diana), and Garth Sambrano; 13 grandchildren— Omah, Natasha, Jael, Nicole, Joe, Joy, Marcus, Rachel, Ava, Tyler, Tynia, Jesse, and Nia—and 10 great-grandchildren; who will miss his weekly bread [bake] making. He is also survived by his brothers Frankie Benn (Simone) and Arthur Benn of Trinidad and Tobago, and his sister Patsy Sambrano of Canada.
A celebration of his life will be held in the summer of 2026.