Sam Donatucci Obituary

Sam was my Football Coach on the Humboldt Park Colts in 1961.
I have Many Coaches since then but Sam was The Very Best Coach that I have ever had.
All My Success in Playing Football and Baseball and Coaching in Both Sports, I Owe Sam a Grateful Thank You for showing me the way.
Mike Madej

Sam, what a wonderful person! He was basically a father to me at Fairview when I was growing up. He sparked my interest in sports and got me going on the right path. I'll never forget when we roasted him at Fairview - many cheers and much laughter. He was special to me and I will never forget him - He made a HUGE positive impact on my life as a child. Sincerely, Sandy

Among many fond memories of my Uncle Sam is the way he would call me "Rocky." This became his nickname for me after he saw me throw a baseball when I was little...and it stuck well into my adult years. I remember his distinctive laugh and love of family. He will be greatly missed.

A family gathering would never be the same without Uncle Sam! I remember his humor and infectious laugh the most. Many times when we were little, he would speak to my cousins and me in words of "jibberish" and then look at us like we should understand him! When our response was total confusion, everyone would laugh..most of all Uncle Sam!
He was a great man who will be sorely missed.

I was a young priest at St. Angela Parish & school. Sam helped to establish sports programs at St. Angela. The most local park was Amundsen pk. In fact he found St. Angela school a P.E. Instructor for the school. If you were in sports you knew Sam. His only park competitition was the North Austin Boys Club who had a lot of local political influence. Our kids' parents were curious about Sam. The parents would tell me when the kids came home they would always say "Sister says or Sam says" That told me two things about Sam, kids trusted him and listened to him. So did I. What a memorial! It has been some 40 years but I remember him well. I am sorry for your loss. I had no idea he lived & worked in the area. I would love to have seen him again.
Tom McGovern

My deepest condolences and sympathy goes out to the Donatucci family. Sam was my teacher and coach for many years at Fairview school. He was truly an outstanding person and had the respect of all the kids he taught. The lessons in sportsmanship I learn from him have helped me coach my kids. He will be missed by more people than he could imagine.

Our deepest condolences and sympathy goes out to the
Donatucci family.We knew Mr. Donatucci thru his loving son
Sam and brother in law Vic. Their
love and respect for Mr. Donatucci
spilled over everytime we talked
about him and how he was doing.
His legacy of love and generosity
lives on through the wonderful family that He and Virginia have
raised. Sam was truly a great man.
Sincerely Daniel Kosiba and family
Carolyn,D.J.,Tim and Caroline

In the ten years Sam and Ginny have been our neighbors, we have nothing but good, loving memories of Sam. We feel cheated that eight of those years are lost, but for all the suffering Sam has gone through, he is now in a much better place. We extend our deepest sympathy to Ginny and your wonderful family. As we are unable to attend the services, please know that our prayers are with you. Eight years of caregiving...Ginny, you are my personal hero!

I have nothing but fond memories of Sam Sr. and he will be missed greatly. He was the type of person that always made you smile when he walked into the room, even after a long day of work. He was a man that always gave so much more than he ever took. My best wishes to the Donatucci family during this challenging time.

Sam was a man who touched many lives and will be missed dearly.

I would like to express my sadness on the passing of Sam Donatucci.
My connection to him goes way back to the early
1950's and his years at Humboldt Park. All of my
memories are the best. There was not a sport that I did not play for this man.
I must have 20 gold medals from indoor softball,volleyball,basketball,wrestling,softball,
baseball. His after school gym classes were
always the highlights of my early days. Mine and 30 other kids that I grew up with. I still have my baseball mitt that Sam purchased for me through one of his friends.
He named me the 1956 athlete of the year, and I still have the trophy.
It is with great sadness that I now have to put the memories of his smiling face and jet black
hair ,away, with all my other memories of those great days. I still carry to this day, his principles of spotsmanship and friendship.
Rest in sports heaven Sam, you more than earned your spot on the starting team.
My heartfelt condolences
Hank Isbell

I was fortunate to have Mr. D as a gym teacher at Fairview for 7 years and Asst Princ at Lincoln for 2. He did more to inspire leadership and sportsmanship in students than anyone else I have ever met. He was the best.

Our prayers are with his family and friends. Heaven is a happier place today.

Mike and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your father...
May God bless you in the days ahead

Lu Ann Pullano

I understand that no words are sufficient at this time. I remember Mr. Donatucci fondly from childhood with his large smile, robust laugh, and warm heart. I apologize that we are unable to attend the services as we are in the process of moving from my mother-in-law's recent passing...but we send thoughts, prayers, and love your way! Please let us know if you need anything!

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY GINNY. WITH PRAYERS. MRS. FRANK SACCOMANNO

To the Donatucci family; Sam was my first baseball and football coach back at Amundsen park. He was also my 8th grade gym teacher at St. Giles. Sam touched the lives of almost everyone that was involved with sports in this neighborhood. His teams were always well coached and disciplined. To this day we talk about how much better we were prepared to play than the kids we see at the parks today. His name is still mentioned all the time. The last time i spoke to Sam was at a Northeasten Ill. Univ. football game that his son Mike was playing in. I'm sorry i never told him how much he touched my life. I feel fortunate that i was able to spend the time i did with him. He was truly a great man, coach, and teacher. My condolences to the Donatucci family. The world is a more empty place today.

Mr. Donatucci was the Asst. Principal at Lincoln Jr. High School when I was there and he was so friendly and could always brighten your day. I remember sitting next to him at a basketball game and we were down with only a minute left to play and I was very anxious and he asked, "What's wrong?" and I said there's only a minute left, and he replied,"Well, a minute can be a very long time, depending on how you look at it. Would you want to be hanged for a minute?" That made quite an impression on me and I still think of that very often. My deepest condolences to his family - he was very special.

Mr. Donatucci was my gym teacher at Fairview School. He had the ability to make every kid feel special. He was truly a great person and one of the highlights of my childhood. God Bless to the family. Many people will cherish his memory.

To The Donatucci Family:
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. I had Mr. Donatucci as my Gym teacher at Fairview and have never forgotten him. Sincerely, Denise Poore