Sam DeMichele, 101, passed away, Monday, October 11, 2021, in the comfort of his own home.

Sam was born in Utica, July 20, 1920, son of the late Dominick and Aurelia (Pedone) DeMichele. He was raised and educated locally and a graduate of UFA.

On April 17th, 1948, Sam was joined in marriage to Rosa Rizzutti, with whom he shared over 53 loving years of marriage, before her passing in 2002. His work ethic was something to look up to; Sam spent over 35 years working as a Sales Manager, at the Boston Store, and later held a job at Walmart, as a greeter, until he retired at age 95. He was an avid golfer, who spent many years as a regular at The Cedar Lake Club. He enjoyed fishing and was an enthusiastic reader of holistic medical magazines. Sam kept a beautiful and bountiful garden, where he grew the best tomatoes around. A loving grandfather, he had a special connection with all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who will greatly miss him.

He is survived by his two daughters and sons-in-law, Sandra and Paul Mancuso and Joanne and Robert Sudakow, all of Utica; his son and daughter-in-law, Doug and Rebecca DeMichele, of Utica; daughter-in-laws, Barbara Eckel and Diane DeMichele; grandchildren, Michelle and George Nixon, Christine and Paul Kisiel, Paul and Rachael Mancuso, Kimberly and daughter, Elle Sudakow, Katie Sudakow and Burak Ozkan, Steven DeMichele, Lorraine DeMichele, Alicia DeMichele and Aiden Lovic, and Samantha DeMichele, and her mother, Joanne Aiello; 11 great-grandchildren and also many nieces and nephews, including a special nephew, Frank “Cheech” Rizzuti. Sam was predeceased by his wife, Rosa; two sons, Steven and Thomas DeMichele; grandson, Robert Sudakow Jr.; brother, Dominick DeMichele; sisters and brother-in-law, Josephine DeMichele and Marie and John Cittadino.

Relatives and friends are invited to Sam’s Mass of Christian Burial, on Saturday, at 11 a.m., at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/ Blessed Sacrament Parish. He will laid to rest in St. Agnes Cemetery.

A special thanks to Rebecca DeMichele for her loving care and compassion for Sam during this difficult time. Donations may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org