Sam Sinatra

Sam Sinatra passed away peacefully at home on September 7th, after recently being diagnosed with congestive heart failure. He was 76 years old. He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Ann Sinatra (nee Wheeler) of Malvern, his loving children, son Michael (Rune Stromsness) of Oakland CA, daughter Katelyn McCulloch (Tripp) of Newtown Square, and his sister Lynn McCarthy (Kevin) of Butler PA.

Sam was born on October 30, 1947, in Pittsburgh, PA to Samuel Sinatra and Angeline Griglia Sinatra of Caltagirone Sicily. His father owned Sinatra’s Tavern in Ross Township and there were plenty of stories and speculations about a family connection to “Old Blue Eyes.”

A graduate of North Catholic High School and Duquesne University, Sam was a lifelong Pittsburgh sports fan. As a young boy, he started going to Steelers games in Pitt Stadium with his father. He still has his Steelers season tickets, which have been in the family for over 50 years. He may have moved to Philly over 40 years ago, but he was a Pittsburgher at heart and continued to support the Penguins, the Steelers, and even the Pirates through thick and thin.

Sam began his career in the investment industry at Mellon Bank and then C.S. McKee in Pittsburgh. Joint outings between the Municipal Bond Club of Pittsburgh and the Municipal Bond Club of Philadelphia were the connections that brought Sam and his family to the Philly area in 1978. Due to a series of mergers and acquisitions, his business card and company name changed 4 times while keeping the same seat in an office at 17th & Market. For 3 years he commuted daily to New York when working at Prudential Securities. He may hold a record locally for having worked for the most investment companies (12) during his career!

Sam met his wife Ann at a wedding in 1967 and he was smitten. They married in 1968. In 1972, three years after son Mike was born, they settled in the Pittsburgh suburb of Ben Avon. Sam cherished his new role as dad. When Katelyn came along a few years later, he found new joy in being dad to a rambunctious little girl. 

During the Vietnam War years, Sam served in a military police Army Reserves Unit in Pennsylvania. 

As an avid golfer, weekends would find him on the links with a big cigar in hand. He was a long-time member at Waynesborough Country Club, but also played as a member at Shannopin Country Club, Chester Valley, and Hershey’s Mill. Ann and Sam loved their frequent golf trips with friends and enjoyed playing in Kiawah where they had a home for several years.

When not on the golf course, Sam could be found on the sidelines of one of his children’s games, cheering them on, again with cigar in hand. Sam was considered by family and friends to be a kind, loveable curmudgeon. His quick wit and big smile would win you over immediately. He was the consummate salesman and always took a keen interest in getting to really know the people he met. He loved a good laugh and always had a twinkle in his eye, often indicating some mischievous scheme or joke in development. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. 

Friends and family are invited to gather to remember Sam on Sunday, September 22 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Waynesborough Country Club, 440 Darby-Paoli Road, Paoli.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Baby Basics of Sarasota (www.babybasicssarasota.org).