Tony McElroy Relation to Deceased: old co-worker Sam was a good man and a great boss. I thought he was the best whistler that I ever heard and, I know that he made some birds jealous. Then, out of the blue he would only whistle the Willy Nelson song “All the Girls I’ve Loved Before”, that got a little irritating but, you just could not get made a Sam. He will be missed by all. The butterfly emerges from its silken shell- Reborn, it arises, no longer bound to earth. Free at last, the butterfly glides to heights unknown before. So do our loved ones find a beautiful release as, earthbound no more, they leave our sight and joyfully rise to a garden of matchless beauty, a place of light and peace. -Evelyn Phillips
Todd Ellis Mr. Mitrano was my Scoutmaster, and I have very fond memories of him (and Sammy) from our summer camp weeks at Massawepie. He taught me some very important life lessons which I carry with me today. Ironically I carry in my briefcase a couple of pictures taken of our Troop as we marched in the Irondequoit Memorial Day parade with Sam and the other adults following us down the road. Little did we know that in life the situation would be reversed, and we would be the ones following them.
Susan Wehle Relation to Deceased: friend Mary and Sam. Sam and Mary. How often have we said these names at St. Michael’s. Your dedication to our church family at St. Michaels made it feel like “home” to many of us, and the love that both of you have shared with us warmed our hearts, and showed us the face of Jesus. Sammy, you will be missed, thought of fondly, and prayed for your eternal rest. Mary, when you receive our hugs, we hope they will provide some comfort, and know that we love you! May God bless you both! XOXO
Steven Marcinkowski Relation to Deceased: cousin I am sorry to hear about Sam’s death. When I was younger I remembered him at the Ventura-Mitrano family reunions. He alway had a big smile and greeted everyone that way. I am sorry I was not able to be there with the family. Son of Mary Ann Ventura-Marcinkowski and grandson of Anthony and Ferne Ventura. I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one, I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done. I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days. I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun. Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.
Pattie HInton Mary and family So sorry to hear of Sam’s passing. It surely sounds like he had a great life and a loving family. THinking of you all during this difficult time. GOD bless The butterfly emerges from its silken shell- Reborn, it arises, no longer bound to earth. Free at last, the butterfly glides to heights unknown before. So do our loved ones find a beautiful release as, earthbound no more, they leave our sight and joyfully rise to a garden of matchless beauty, a place of light and peace. -Evelyn Phillips
Mary Ann Cole Relation to Deceased: friend Sam, your welcoming smile will always be remembered and always be missed. May all the angels and saints hasten to welcome you home. Remember us. The butterfly emerges from its silken shell- Reborn, it arises, no longer bound to earth. Free at last, the butterfly glides to heights unknown before. So do our loved ones find a beautiful release as, earthbound no more, they leave our sight and joyfully rise to a garden of matchless beauty, a place of light and peace. -Evelyn Phillips
Joe & Marty Mitrano Relation to Deceased: Nephew We were sadden by the passing of Uncle Sam, He always made us laugh and feel good when we were with him He loved his family and his grand kids. He was a very special and loving person. We will keep him in our hearts and there for he will always be with us. God bless and keep you comforted in this sad time. Love and God Bless Joe and Marty Mitrano The butterfly emerges from its silken shell- Reborn, it arises, no longer bound to earth. Free at last, the butterfly glides to heights unknown before. So do our loved ones find a beautiful release as, earthbound no more, they leave our sight and joyfully rise to a garden of matchless beauty, a place of light and peace. -Evelyn Phillips
elaine spezzano Relation to Deceased: neice Uncle Sam, you reminded me so much of Dad. Your looks, your actions. I will miss you. Safely Home I am home in Heaven dear ones: Oh, so happy and so bright! There is perfect joy and beauty in this everlasting light. All the pain and grief is over, every restless tossing passed I am now at peace forever, safely home in Heaven at last. Then you must not grieve so sorely, for I love you dearly still; try to look beyond earth shadows, Pray to trust our Father’s will There is work still waiting for you, so you must not idly stand: do it now, while life remaineth you shall rest in Jesus’ land When that work is all completed, He will gently call you Home; oh the rapture of that meeting, oh the joy to see you come!
Carol G McManus (formerly Ellis) Relation to Deceased: friend The world has lost a beautiful soul who helped many boys achieve manhood with integrity through his work with the Boy Scouts. Sam was a friend, devoted husband to Mary and father to his wonderful family whom I shall always remember for their kindness and gentleness. God rest his soul and give him peace. The celebration of life, shared in the beginning, and again, in the end. Yet we forget to celebrate it, in every moment we live. Time, days, years, go on, but are we alive? Alive and do not know it, sleeping in the world and dead to the life we are to live. To celebrate all life, the sparrow who sang in the morning, and died in the night, why do we not celebrate its life? To know thyself is to know you are alive – to give, to love, to seek truth, beauty, and suffer pain. In life as it is meant to be, pain is forgotten, and strength is all that’s left to be gained in the moment by moment celebration of life. By Deborah Peabody
Additional Tribute Link: http://youtu.be/I2ss2_35dqo
Tony McElroy Relation to Deceased: old co-worker Sam was a good man and a great boss. I thought he was the best whistler that I ever heard and, I know that he made some birds jealous. Then, out of the blue he would only whistle the Willy Nelson song “All the Girls I’ve Loved Before”, that got a little irritating but, you just could not get made a Sam. He will be missed by all. The butterfly emerges from its silken shell- Reborn, it arises, no longer bound to earth. Free at last, the butterfly glides to heights unknown before. So do our loved ones find a beautiful release as, earthbound no more, they leave our sight and joyfully rise to a garden of matchless beauty, a place of light and peace. -Evelyn Phillips
Todd Ellis Mr. Mitrano was my Scoutmaster, and I have very fond memories of him (and Sammy) from our summer camp weeks at Massawepie. He taught me some very important life lessons which I carry with me today. Ironically I carry in my briefcase a couple of pictures taken of our Troop as we marched in the Irondequoit Memorial Day parade with Sam and the other adults following us down the road. Little did we know that in life the situation would be reversed, and we would be the ones following them.
Susan Wehle Relation to Deceased: friend Mary and Sam. Sam and Mary. How often have we said these names at St. Michael’s. Your dedication to our church family at St. Michaels made it feel like “home” to many of us, and the love that both of you have shared with us warmed our hearts, and showed us the face of Jesus. Sammy, you will be missed, thought of fondly, and prayed for your eternal rest. Mary, when you receive our hugs, we hope they will provide some comfort, and know that we love you! May God bless you both! XOXO
Steven Marcinkowski Relation to Deceased: cousin I am sorry to hear about Sam’s death. When I was younger I remembered him at the Ventura-Mitrano family reunions. He alway had a big smile and greeted everyone that way. I am sorry I was not able to be there with the family. Son of Mary Ann Ventura-Marcinkowski and grandson of Anthony and Ferne Ventura. I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one, I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done. I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days. I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun. Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.
Pattie HInton Mary and family So sorry to hear of Sam’s passing. It surely sounds like he had a great life and a loving family. THinking of you all during this difficult time. GOD bless The butterfly emerges from its silken shell- Reborn, it arises, no longer bound to earth. Free at last, the butterfly glides to heights unknown before. So do our loved ones find a beautiful release as, earthbound no more, they leave our sight and joyfully rise to a garden of matchless beauty, a place of light and peace. -Evelyn Phillips
Mary Ann Cole Relation to Deceased: friend Sam, your welcoming smile will always be remembered and always be missed. May all the angels and saints hasten to welcome you home. Remember us. The butterfly emerges from its silken shell- Reborn, it arises, no longer bound to earth. Free at last, the butterfly glides to heights unknown before. So do our loved ones find a beautiful release as, earthbound no more, they leave our sight and joyfully rise to a garden of matchless beauty, a place of light and peace. -Evelyn Phillips
Joe & Marty Mitrano Relation to Deceased: Nephew We were sadden by the passing of Uncle Sam, He always made us laugh and feel good when we were with him He loved his family and his grand kids. He was a very special and loving person. We will keep him in our hearts and there for he will always be with us. God bless and keep you comforted in this sad time. Love and God Bless Joe and Marty Mitrano The butterfly emerges from its silken shell- Reborn, it arises, no longer bound to earth. Free at last, the butterfly glides to heights unknown before. So do our loved ones find a beautiful release as, earthbound no more, they leave our sight and joyfully rise to a garden of matchless beauty, a place of light and peace. -Evelyn Phillips
elaine spezzano Relation to Deceased: neice Uncle Sam, you reminded me so much of Dad. Your looks, your actions. I will miss you. Safely Home I am home in Heaven dear ones: Oh, so happy and so bright! There is perfect joy and beauty in this everlasting light. All the pain and grief is over, every restless tossing passed I am now at peace forever, safely home in Heaven at last. Then you must not grieve so sorely, for I love you dearly still; try to look beyond earth shadows, Pray to trust our Father’s will There is work still waiting for you, so you must not idly stand: do it now, while life remaineth you shall rest in Jesus’ land When that work is all completed, He will gently call you Home; oh the rapture of that meeting, oh the joy to see you come!
Carol G McManus (formerly Ellis) Relation to Deceased: friend The world has lost a beautiful soul who helped many boys achieve manhood with integrity through his work with the Boy Scouts. Sam was a friend, devoted husband to Mary and father to his wonderful family whom I shall always remember for their kindness and gentleness. God rest his soul and give him peace. The celebration of life, shared in the beginning, and again, in the end. Yet we forget to celebrate it, in every moment we live. Time, days, years, go on, but are we alive? Alive and do not know it, sleeping in the world and dead to the life we are to live. To celebrate all life, the sparrow who sang in the morning, and died in the night, why do we not celebrate its life? To know thyself is to know you are alive – to give, to love, to seek truth, beauty, and suffer pain. In life as it is meant to be, pain is forgotten, and strength is all that’s left to be gained in the moment by moment celebration of life. By Deborah Peabody