Obituary: Sam O. Buscemi - Class of 1945

MADISON - Sam P. Buscemi, age 83, of Madison, passed away on Tuesday, May 31, 2011.

He was born on April 30, 1928, in Madison, the son of Salvatore and Frances (Gandolfo) Buscemi. Sam was a lifelong Madison resident and graduated from Central High School in 1946. He served his country as a master sergeant, 2nd Platoon, Easy Company, in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. Sam was united in marriage to Marilyn (Millar) Chittenden in December 1986. He was a ticket agent for Milwaukee Road for 20 years, had an industrial x-ray business for several years, and eventually retired from Gardner Bakery in 1990.

Sam was an avid fan of all sports, being particularly partial to the Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Cubs. He also loved to dance, particularly to swing music. Above all, Sam enjoyed spending time in the company of his family and friends and playing cards with his buddies. He was a kind man and had a "soft spot" in his heart for babies and animals. Sam was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend, was loved by many, and will be sorely missed by those who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; children, Debra (Scott) Jonovic, Kathy (Peter) Liebl, Sam V. (Kris), Vicki (Dave) Bedell, Paul (Karen), Michael (Kristi) and Rob; stepson, Michael (Nicole) Chittenden; 11 grandchildren and a stepgrandson; mother of his children, Annette (Cardarella) Brown; sister, Sister Rose Marie Buscemi of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross; and two special aunts, Catherine Gianquinto and Vicki Pellitteri. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 15, 2011. Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

The family wishes to give special thanks to the dialysis staff at St. Mary's Renal Center and the staff at Oak Park Place for their care of Sam.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on June 12, 2011 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968)