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Samuel Suplizio Obituary

Samuel V. Suplizio September 14, 1932- December 29, 2006 Samuel V. Suplizio, age 74, prominent business and civic leader and long time resident of Grand Junction, CO, died of heart failure at his home in Pawleys Island, S.C. on Friday, December 29, 2006. Born in Dubois, PA, he was the son of the late Paul R. and Anna Parrenzi Suplizio. Graduating in 1953 from the University of New Mexico, Mr. Suplizio was the university's First All American baseball recipient where he starred in football, basketball and baseball. Upon graduation, he signed a bonus contract with the New York Yankees. He played three years with the Yankee's farm system and was named to the All Star Team each year. On the 1957 roster of the Yankees, his professional baseball career as a player came to an end as result of a severe game injury. Mr. Suplizio did not give up his love for baseball and while successful in business, he made time to manage, to head the Jr. College World Series, conduct clinics overseas and to coach in the major leagues for St. Louis Cardinals, Anaheim Angels, Milwaukee Brewers and as late as this past season, the Seattle Mariners. Sam's real passion was to teach young players and he took great pride in mentoring several Hall of Famers and potential Hall of Famers. Sam was inducted into numerous Halls of Fame including the National Junior College Assoc. Hall of Fame, The University of New Mexico Athletics Hall of Fame, The National Coaches Hall of Fame and The Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. Sam was a key player in bringing Major League Baseball to Colorado. He was appointed by the Governor to co-chair the State commission of the building of Coors Field and also served as a commissioner for the building of the new Bronco stadium. Surviving are his wife, Caroline, sons; Samuel, Jr. and his wife, Kim, Thomas and his wife, Tara, all of Colorado, daughters; Carter Anderson of California and Cindy Mueller and her husband Peter of Colorado, grandchildren; Kendra, Kaili, Tagert, Griffin, Joshua, Samantha, Tucker, Ryder, and Sawyer, brother, Paul Suplizio of Washington, DC and sister, Ella Jean Reynolds and husband Jacques of El Dorado, MO. Services will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, January 11, 2007 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Grand Junction, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mr. Suplizio's honor to Baseball Assistance Team, c/o Major League Baseball, 245 Park Avenue, 31st Floor, New York, NY 10167.

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Published by The Daily Sentinel on Jan. 10, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
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Dale Lenz

November 29, 2023

I was thinking about Sam this morning. My name is Dale Lenz and Sam had talked me into going to Butte Montana for a tryout with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1976. I was a picture and threw my arm out 63 days into my single-A career. I don't know if anybody will ever read this but I just wanted to tell you how much he meant to me. Thank you

Ron Pies

January 13, 2007

As a youngster, I watched Sam play at the University of New Mexico many years ago. We became acquainted again a few years ago when Sam coached with the Angels and I was responsible for their Spring Training home in Tempe, Arizona. We talked a lot and Sam always told people that he and I went to UNM together at different times. He was a great person and I will miss him, very much. My condolences to his family

Jeff Brock

January 11, 2007

On this day of remembrance for Sam, I send my sincere sympathy to you, Caroline and family. I really tried to attend, but weather did not permit my trip from Montana. Sam had a great influence on my life as a young man in Grand Junction. He has always been one of my idols.

Mary Louise (Giblin) Henderson

January 10, 2007

Sam was a long-time friend during the years I was a reporter at The Daily Sentinel. After I moved to California, he arranged for tickets to a game between the Milwaukee Brewers and Oakland A's, my husband's favorite team. My husband, Tom, never forgot him.

John & Elvera Tomlinson

January 10, 2007

Sam's passing is a great loss for the Grand Junction community and for us personally. We appreciated his friendship and his support of us and of Mesa State College.

Brent Miller

January 10, 2007

I was so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow. Sam did alot for the community and youth of Grand Junction, we will all miss him tremendously.

Fred & Penny Wegener

January 10, 2007

Please accept our sincere condolences

Jean and Don Opel

January 5, 2007

Our deepest sympathy to Sam's family. He was a good friend of many years, a highschool classmate. He will be deeply missed.

Dale Rennels

January 3, 2007

Dear Caroline, God Bless You,such a shock, I were blessed to know Sam
for the past 36 years, hope to see you in GJ, Love Dale and Valentina Rennels

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