Samuel Stephen Inzerra Jr.

Newburgh - Samuel Stephen Inzerra, Jr., a life-long resident of the area, entered into rest on Monday, December 3, 2007. He was 86.

He was born in Newburgh on July 21, 1921, the son of Samuel S. Inzerra and Margaret Splane Inzerra. He was brother to: Ann Inzerra Smith, Margaret Inzerra Jackson, John Inzerra, and Jean Inzerra. Sam was a graduate of St. Patrick's elementary school and Newburgh Free Academy, where he was the president of his junior class and captain of the varsity basketball team. He was awarded the rare honor of being selected as a member of the All-DUSO Team in both basketball and baseball. After high school he also played basketball with the famous Caravan Clippers.

He proudly served in the US Navy during WWII and was stationed in the Galapagos Islands and the Panama Canal. After the war, he married his high school sweetheart, Edna Olsen, who passed away less than a week after their daughter Merrill Inzerra was born. On January 8, 1950 he married his best friend and beloved wife of 57 years, Louise Ruggiero.

He is survived by: his loving wife, Louise, at home; their children: daughter, Louise Inzerra Fern and her husband, Anthony, of Newburgh; son, Samuel S. Inzerra, III and his wife, Patricia, of Ft. Pierce, Fla.; son Philip Inzerra and his wife, Lorraine, of Shelton, Conn.; and daughter, Elizabeth Inzerra Nelbach and her husband, Arthur, of Cornwall. He is also survived by his eldest daughter, Merrill Inzerra of Johnsburg, N.Y.; 10 grandchildren: Kelly Ercolino, Kacey & Spencer Fern, Samuel & Tiffany Inzerra, Ali & Jake Inzerra, Samantha, Jacqueline & Arthur Nelbach; and five great-grandchildren.

His granddaughter, Christina Porco, predeceased him.

Sam was a retired after nearly 40 years from working for Local 825 Union of Operating Engineers and was a member of the B.P.O. Elks Lodge NO. 247 for 22 years. He was also a member of the VFW Post 1161 of Newburgh, as well as the Catholic War Veterans Post 386. Sam was a past member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

During the construction off season and after retirement, he was frequently seen tending bar for Scully's Bar, Donahue & Flanagan's, The Elk's Club Bar, Theresa's Catering, and many other fine Newburgh establishments. He was a fraternal member of a wonderful group of old-time Newburgh gentlemen who found him to be a generous and loving individual.

Sam was born and married into a wonderful, loving family, and he will be missed by all.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, December 7 at the Brooks Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave., Newburgh, NY 12550. Msgr. John Budwick will preside at a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick's Church, 55 Grand St., Newburgh, NY 12550 on Saturday, December 8 at 1 p.m., followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery.

A donation in his honor may be made to any of the following charities: St. Patrick's Church, the VFW or to the Alzheimer Foundation.

To send a personal condolence or for directions to the funeral home, please visit BrooksFH.com or call 845-561-8300