Sam Cammarata

A man of great honor, integrity, and intelligence with his own creative flair, Sam Cammarata was an extraordinary man to know and love. He filled his days with countless enriching experiences, but it was sharing them with his friends and loved ones that truly made these events so special. Sam was a loving husband and devoted father who was filled with unspeakable joy to welcome grandchildren and great-grandchildren into the fold. Life will never be the same without him here, but his timeless legacy will be proudly carried on by those who follow in his footsteps.

After the end of WWI in 1918, America was recognized as a world leader for the first time, and all eyes were focused on our shores for what was to come. We did not disappoint as the decade that followed was filled with things like radios, washing machines, and motion pictures in both color and sound. By 1919 the deadly flu pandemic that blanketed our nation and much of the world was on a decline from its peak of 202 daily deaths. It was during this same year that Sam made his arrival into the world on February 15th. He was one of four boys in his family and was raised in the family home on Joiner Street. In many ways Sam was a typical young boy of his generation who enjoyed things like cross-country, boxing, and being a member of the Webbs. He was a student at local schools who went on to graduate from Edison Tech High School in the mid-thirties.

With his formal education behind him, Sam served in the Civilian Conservation Corps in both Oregon and Ithaca, New York. As though pages from his life’s journey are torn from a history book, Sam served in the United States Army under General Patton from 1940 through 1945 during the days of World War II. Although America had hoped to remain unengaged as the war gained momentum during the late thirties, these hopes were dashed after the vicious attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

When he had completed his military duties, Sam returned stateside and soon experienced great excitement as he met the young girl of his dreams. Her name was Antoinette “Toni” Feola, and they met when she came to the family home intending to meet someone else. Their paths crossed a second time when they wound up both standing up in the same wedding, and the rest is history as they say. The couple began courting, and their love took root over time. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together Sam and Toni were marred on October 4, 1947, at St. Patrick’s Church in downtown Rochester, marking the beginning of a new chapter in a lengthy and exciting love story. Together they welcomed their son, Anthony, into their hearts and home on May 21, 1950. They initially lived in a home on Fulton Avenue, but they later moved to a house in the Charlotte neighborhood. This was the place Sam called home until moving to Apopka, Florida, during his retirement years.

Throughout his life Sam knew what it meant to put in a hard day’s work. When he returned from serving overseas as a young man he began working as a tailor at Fashion Park. Sam later worked for the United States Post Office where he remained for the rest of his career until retiring after 28 years of dedicated service.

All who knew Sam would agree that he was a man who liked the classics. He was a fan of Frank Sinatra and watching movies like Gone with the Wind, Random Harvest, and Four Feathers, and the shows he enjoyed on television were older classics such as All in the Family, and Sanford and Son. Among his favorite reading material was also criminal and war stories. As someone who enjoyed keeping his mind sharp, Sam could often be found keeping busy with word searches. As his family and friends can attest, he certainly knew his way around the kitchen. In fact, Sam also rather enjoyed his cooking as he said, “There were none better than his own.” He traveled extensively both within the United States and abroad as his travels took him to Europe, Spain, Portugal, Italy, England, and France. A sports enthusiast, Sam was a New York Yankees lover as well as a fan of the Cleveland Browns, the Boston Celtics, and Joe Lewis. Additionally he deeply respected Sugar Ray Robinson as the best pound-for-pound fighter.

Although Sam enjoyed pursuing his interests, nothing beat special times with his family. He looked forward to the Cammarata family reunion as extended family forever held a special place in his heart. There were also priceless moments shared at the shore with his family.

With unending love for his wife, son, and grandchildren, Sam Cammarata was an inspiration to others. He was highly intelligent, which also made him a trivia master, and he was an eloquent speaker with a wide vocabulary, too. Sam was a man who was content in all things, and he was one who was never concerned with building wealth since it was being surrounded by his family that he treasured most. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Sam Cammarata died on August 17, 2014. Sam’s family includes his son, Anthony (Sharon) Cammarata; grandchildren, James (Rachel) Novak Jr, Christopher (Michelle) Novak, Michael Cammarata, Christopher (fiancé Jennifer Wallace) Cammarata, Lindsay Cammarata; great-grandchildren, Kalin, Alexis & Elizabeth Novak; several nieces & nephews. Sam was preceded in death by his wife, Antoinette “Toni” (Feola) Cammarata and his daughter-in-law, Karen Urban Cammarata. Visit with Sam’s family from 4-7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, 1411 Vintage Lane (between 390 & Long Pond Rd). Sam’s funeral mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday at Holy Name of Jesus Church, St. Martin’s Way, Rochester. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. For more about Sam, visit www.aliferemembered.com