PORTLAND- Samuel Serappa Sr., age 87, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2026. Born in Portland, ME on April 4, 1939. Son of the late Nicholas Serappa and Angelina DiCandia Serappa. Sam graduated in 1957 from Portland High School as a Brown medal recipient. After graduating, he enlisted in the US Marines where he served until 1961. During his service, he married his high school sweetheart, Ruth “Mickey” Winn on July 18,1959. They spent most of their days residing in Portland where they raised three children, Teresa, Kathleen, and Samuel Jr.
Upon leaving the Marines, Sam joined the Portland Fire Department where he started his career on Engine 1. Through the years he moved up through the ranks before being appointed Deputy Fire Chief at Bramhall Station in 1978. He retired from the department in 1982 after 20 years of service to his community. In his later years, he enjoyed traveling with his wife and spending time with his family. In 2001, Sam and Mickey began spending their winters in Florida where they found their second home.
Sam is remembered as an avid musician well known for singing and playing guitar, often around a campfire. He even spent some of his free time volunteering to play for the residents at the Life Center in Estero. He also loved spending time outside and on the water, fishing and boating with friends and family.
Sam is predeceased by his loving wife Ruth “Mickey” Serappa, his parents Angelina Walker and Nicholas Serappa, step father Keith Walker, and his uncle Michael DiCandia.
He is survived by his three children who were his pride and joy: Teresa Serappa, Kathleen Sandora (husband Greg), and Samuel Serappa Jr. (wife Theresa), his eight grandchildren: Hillary, Francis, Sean, and Emily Bachelder, Casie Dalia, Canon Sandora, and Livia and Nicholas Serappa, his sister Marie Cate, and his ten great-grandchildren: Abigail, Jacoby, Bronson, Francis, Danielle, Giana, X’xavier, Maddie, Lyla, and Caleb. Last but definitely not least Sam is survived by his loyal companion, his dog Charlie, who was with him until the end.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday Sept. 26th at 10 AM at St. Peter's Church, 72 Federal St., Portland. Interment will follow at New Calvary Cemetery in South Portland with USMC Honors.
A celebration of his life will be held on Friday October 2nd from 6 - 8 PM at the Portland Eagles, St. John St., Portland.
Online condolence messages can be submitted at the Poitras Funeral Homes website, www.mainefuneral.com
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to:
St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital
501 St. Jude’s Place
Memphis, TN 38105
Or
Portland Firefighters Children’s Burn Foundation
380 Congress St
Portland, Maine 04101