Samuel Joseph "Sam" Lauria

Samuel "Sam" Joseph Lauria, 78, of Nutmeg Ave., Enfield, and beloved husband of Anna M. (Sacheli) Lauria, married May 20, 1950, went to eternal life on Saturday, (January 12, 2002) at Johnson Memorial Hospital. He was born in the Thompsonville section of Enfield and was a lifetime resident of the community. Sam was a graduate of Enfield High School, Class of 1941. Veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps., 4th Division, 26th Battalion. Sam served in the Pacific Theater, Iwo Jima and Volcano Island, where he was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart Medal. Formerly employed by Bigelow-Sanford and Hamilton Standard, he retired in 1984 after 35 years as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. He was a communicant of St. Patrick's Church. Sam loved and was loved by his family. Besides his loving wife Anna of 51 years, Sam is survived by a son, Samuel Francis Lauria and his wife, Donna of Enfield; a daughter, Charlene Ann Lauria of Enfield; two grandchildren, Christopher Joseph Lauria of Cromwell and Amie Debra Lauria of Feeding Hills, MA; a great grandchild, Ravyn Andrasik of Portland; a brother, Joseph Lauria and his wife, Esther of Enfield: two sisters, Carmella Battisti and her husband, Daniel of Springfield, MA, Lillian Strumski and her husband, Albin of East Hartford; 25 nieces and nephews; 17 great nieces and nephews; three great great nieces and nephews; his in-laws, Joseph and Pauline Liucci, Nelio and Mary Spadoni, Charles and Mary Sacheli, and Samuel and Dorothy Sacheli; an extended loving family, Louis and Rita Rossi, Jenny Horkavy, June Naylor, and Brian, Dianne; and grandson, Kyle Maher. A funeral processional will leave Wednesday, 9 a.m., January 16, from the Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Rd., Enfield, to St. Patrick's Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Burial will follow to St. Patrick's King Street Cemetery with Military Honors. Sam's family will receive relatives and friends Tuesday, 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., at the Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels. Memorial donations in Sam's name may be made to the Enfield Community Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 1249, Enfield, CT 06083-1249.