We are sad to share that our wonderful father Samuel "Sam" Sansone passed into rest on Thursday, after a brief illness. Born in Lockport, New York on September 19th, 1935 he was the eldest son of Joseph V. Sansone and Sophia Sansone. 

Sam grew up in Lowertown on Market Street with his parents and his two brothers and sister. He was a first generation American, as his father had immigrated from Termini Imerese, Sicily, and passed through Ellis Island to pursue the American dream. Sam was an excellent student, despite the numerous jobs he had growing up to help support his family. He was a music aficionado, and played the baritone horn in his high school band, and was first chair baritone horn in the All State Band.

A brilliant legal mind, Sam pursued law as a career, graduated first in his class, and was awarded Juris Doctor J.D. of Law from University of Buffalo in 1962. (Sam still boasts one of the highest Bar Exam scores in New York State history) He was also the sports editor for the University of Buffalo newspaper called the Spectrum. 

Always juggling his jobs and his studies, Sam worked his way through law school at his parents' restaurant, called Sansones, while also working at Robin Hood Flour Mill. He also served in the Army National Guard, during this time and was awarded an honorable discharge upon completion of service. Once graduated, Sam became a trial attorney at Jaeckle Fleischmann Law firm, where his young wife Diane worked as a secretary.

Taking the next step, Sam then became the Municipal Attorney for the City of Lockport and the Director of Housing. He then turned to the private sector, and became a private commercial real estate developer. With his wife Diane, he began working with HUD to build and develop community housing for Lockport's elderly, disabled and multi-family residents. Together they developed and built hundreds of affordable housing units, that still serve our local community to this day.

In addition, Sam served as chairman of the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, which he was appointed to in 1984 by then Governor Mario Cuomo. Involved in numerous organizations, Sam was also a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Knights of Columbus, The Olcott Yacht Club, and many other clubs, including the Longboat Key Club of Florida, where he also resided in the winters for over 40 years with his family.

As everyone knows, the true love of Sams life, besides his beautiful wife Diane, was his passion for sailing and boating. Sam was a licensed US Coast Guard Captain, and sailed numerous boats over the years throughout the Great Lakes, the Caribbean, including the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, and of course Mexico.

It was in Mexico, that Sam had his most audacious adventure and near fatal voyage. In 1997, Sam entered the international boat race to Isla Mujeres, Mexico, the regatta known as the Regata al Sol, traverses the open deep waters of the entire Gulf of Mexico. It begins in St. Petersburg FL, and navigates 555 nautical miles straight across the gulf, before finishing in the Caribbean Sea at Isla Mujeres, Mexico, with a finish line week-long festival. 

Joining Sam on his Morgan sailboat, named the "Southern Comfort", were his son (and best friend) Marc Sansone, and five other crew members. Sam and his crew were at the halfway mark in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico, when the seas turned very bad. They encountered 45 knot winds with gusts up to 55 knots, and waves that topped over 30 ft. Fortunately, Sam's boat handled these rough seas beautifully. However, another boat in the race, the "Harmony," had lost their generator, had no running lights and they were taking on water.

Sam and his crew heard the mayday calls and also heard the Coast Guard ask the boats nearest to the Harmony to please assist. Sam and his crew circled back, and sailed in the opposite direction so that they could assist the Harmony. Sam and his crew encountered the disabled Harmony in very rough waters, and could not get near the boat without risking a collision.

Sam then devised a plan whereby he would put water pumping supplies, tools, handheld radios, and flashlights into a life raft which was tethered to his boat and then throw a line to their boat, thereby passing off all of these life saving items to the crew of the Harmony. His plan worked, and Sam and the crew of the Southern Comfort stood by while the Harmony crew was able to pump the water out of their boat, and make their boat operational again. Sam and the Southern Comfort crew, then formed a convoy, and slowly escorted the Harmony all the way to Mexico, to complete the race.

News of their heroic efforts reached Isla Mujeres' Regata al Sol race officials. As Sam and the Southern Comfort crew and the Harmony crew entered the harbor, they were greeted by celebratory Cannon blasts and boats honking their horns in gratitude for their courageous efforts.

For their incredible bravery Sam and his crew received the "True Spirit of the Sea Award" and the "Humanitarian Award", and also managed to place 6th in the race! The grateful Captain of the Harmony, thanked Sam and the Southern Comfort crew for saving their lives during a special dinner given by the race officials, in honor of Sam and his intrepid crew. Sam's life's work and legacy will live on for years to come.  We carry their spirit with us in everything we do.

Samuel is Survived by his daughter Michelle (Thomas) Gall, his son Marc (late Sherry) Sansone, Lisa (Wendell Evans) Sansone, Lori (Gregg Angelo) Sansone, and Nina Evans his granddaughter. He is also survived by his brother James (Rosemary) Sansone. He was the brother-in-law of the late Joan Macfarlane, the late Alec (Linda) Manson, Larry (Kathy) Manson, Donald (Molly) Manson and the late Roderick and Douglas Manson. Samuel also has numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members."

He is preceded in death by his father Joseph V. Sansone and Mother Sophia Sansone of Lockport, NY, his sister Rosalind (late Allen) Wilson, brother Colonel. Joseph (Sharon) Sansone, and had just recently lost his beloved wife of 67 years, Diane Sansone.

In keeping with the family’s wishes, there will be no public services. A private family memorial will be held at a later date. Friends can make a donation, if they wish, in place of flowers to either Niagara Hospice: www.niagarahospice.org, or Sailing Foundation of New York: sfny.org.

And finally,

“Death of an Old Seaman”

We buried him high on a windy hill

But his soul went out to sea.

I know, for I heard, when all was still,

His sea-soul say to me:

Put no tombstone at my head,

For here I do not make my bed.

Strew no flowers on my grave,

I’ve gone back to the wind and wave.

Do not, do not weep for me,

For I am happy with my sea.

From “The Weary Blues” (Alfred A. Knopf, 1926) by Langston Hughes.