Samuel Vella Obituary

I was so, so sad to read that Dear Sam had passed-I cried and cried-having just visiting him a month prior. You see, I so looked forward to seeing him every biking season& stopping for a chat. I introduced myself to Sam about 5-6 years ago.I would ride my bike around the lake&always see him outside(this busy"Mature Ever-Ready Bunny"I thought)- I so admired that man-I had to stop & meet him! After that time I would stop as often as I could. He showed me his Garden&was always trying to find a way for me to take some produce home on my bike! Sam brought me in to see all his planes&photos(He smiled when I told him-he must have been responsible for- how very good-looking his children were & I could tell he was proud of his children.)He was a great"Do-er" as anyone could see from the outside&the inside of his home(but he was ever so humble a man)-I knew his arthritis was hard on him-but he took it all in stride-I tried to recommend some medicine (being a Pharmacist)-but he decided to just deal with it naturally(with a little help from his daily dose of home-grown garlic!) He was a True Soldier! I'm grateful for his service to our country, his friendship and inspiration...and I miss him...

I will miss dear Sam. He believed in me and was so kind and generous. Love, Jessica

Sam was a kind and hard working neighbor and friend. He always 'tooted' and waved and we always said we wish we had his energy!! He was always working on his home or yard and was an inspiration to all.

Our family has known Sam for over 20 years. I have often thought- in Tom Brokaw's vision-Sam Vella was part of the "Greatest Generation." As a young soldier he must have learned to cope, survive and serve. And those early experiences may have shaped his strong values which we all learned to know. Sam was a supportive friend and good neighbor. He was unique, special and will be missed. Sam- may God welcome you with Love.

Sam has been a Great Friend and Neighbor. We would exchange garden produce that would give us a chance to chat. He loved to visit. He made it easy to give directions. You can't miss the 2 Status of Liberty at the end of his driveway.

We will miss him.

Sammy was an extremely kind, humble, and gracious man. He was my neighbor, and he will be sorely missed.

Sam was an avid gardener. He would be out in his garden when I left for work, and he would be in his garden when I arrived home from work, some of this driven by his ongoing battle to keep the deer out. “ Don’t be shy” was Sam’s mantra to me as he filled several plastic bags full of vegetables.

I’m very lucky to have had Sam as a neighbor and friend. Maggie and I will miss our visits with him. Maggie will especially miss looking at all the neat things in his house, and the chocolate bars he would buy her.

Godspeed Sammy!


Greg Dopko

Tut was our neighbor and we are sorry to hear he has passed. He was a good neighbor, he gave us vegetables from his garden, he mowed 3/4 of our lawn once, and he lit up the neighborhood with his statues which served as a landmark for visitors. I had many conversations with Tut in his yard and he shared a lot of his past. He had great stories. Thank you Sam for serving our country and what a honor to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. You'll be missed by your neighbors.

Our sympathy to the family and friends of Sam. We had only met Sam a few years ago but found him to be the nicest man and will miss seeing him in his garden.