My first memory of Sam was when I was a runner back in 2000 (or so) in the old building – 600 Congress Ave. Sam came into the mailroom and said to me, “Could you go down to Starbucks and get me a half-caf, half-decaf coffee with two sweetlow?” Having never ordered anything at Starbucks until I started working at SD&M, I had no idea what he meant. I even asked the barista what “sweetlow” was and she pointed me to the pink “Sweet & Low” packages. I was so happy that I got Sam’s order right for him!
I enjoyed working on the JC case with him and another SD&M attorney. We were close to going to trial in Laredo. That would have been fun.
Eternal rest grant unto Sam, O Lord. Let the perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. And may God’s love, peace, and consolation be with his wife and daughters.
Below is my homily that I shared during the Rite:
As my wife and I were waiting to talk with Maureen during the visitation last night, I was looking at the screen and saw a picture of Sam and Maureen next to a sign that read: “Live a great story.” Sam lived a great story and his story lives on in our hearts.The loss of a loved one is painful. It is even more painful when the loss is sudden because we did not have a chance to say our final “I love you” and “Good-bye.” Maureen, Ella, Page, Tim, Sarah, and Kevin - you all and your families are in my prayers as I pray for the blessed repose of Sam’s soul at the Holy Sacrifice of Mass that I serve at or attend.In this time of grieving, and as we reflect on all the fond memories that we have of Sam, may his memory be a blessing to us. Sam blessed me with his childlike love for life and the practice of law. After more than three decades, he represented and served his colleagues and clients with so much passion and compassion and I am blessed to be counted among his colleagues as a member of the SD&M family.Most of all, Sam blessed me with the childlike love that he had for his wife, daughters, and families. I love reading his posts about his family. On Maureen’s birthday, Sam wrote: “Happy Happy Birthday Maureen!! You sure have made life loving and fun!!! I hope that you have a great day!! Love you times infinity!!” (Facebook, December 19, 2024). Maureen, Sam loves you and your children still because he now rests in your hearts forever.On his daughters’ birthday, Sam wrote: “Happy Happy birthday to my wonderful awesome baby girls Page (left) and Ella (right). They are 18 today! I love them so very much!! In my humble opinion, they are awesome and they will set the world on fire!! Maureen and I sure are lucky parents!!” (Facebook, May 1, 2025). Ella and Page, carry in your hearts that fire of your dad’s love and go and set the world on fire as he knew you both will.Dearest friends, let us find comfort in the love that God has for each and everyone of us and console one another because, for “those who believe in God’s love death is not the end, nor does it destroy the bonds that [God] forged in our lives,” especially, the bond that God forged between each one of us and Sam.
When my wife and I arrived at the burial site, after I vested, we walked up to the representative from the funeral home to introduce ourselves. As we shook hands - it could have been the wind - but the stand with Sam's picture fell over and knocked over the two flower arrangements in front of it. We helped the funeral home representative rearrange the picture stand and flower arrangements. I shared this with Sam's wife and her children and we were all like: "Sam is stirring things up in heaven already!" As Sam would say: "Heck yeah! That's right! That's right!"
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