Sam Joseph Biondo

Sam J. Biondo, age 77, died at Beaumont Hospital in Grosse Pointe on June 9, 2011. He was born in Detroit on May 25, 1934, the son of Nicholas and Fara Biondo. He attended Our Lady of Hope School in Detroit. In 1956 Sam married his wife of 54 years, Mary Anne Schlaf at Our Lady of Hope Church. In his early years, Sam worked at several different jobs, sometimes two at a time to provide for his family. He worked at the Goebel Brewery, T. J. McCarthy Co., and Altes Brewery. In 1964 Sam began working at St. Joan of Arc Church and School in St. Clair Shores. Sam did everything at St. Joan – he was the custodian and maintenance man at the church and school; he mowed grass in the summer and plowed snow in the winter; and took care of anything that required fixing. SJA was his second home. He was a devoted employee, who during his career at St. Joan, befriended many parishioners, students, teachers, nuns, principals, priests and staff. He retired in 2006 after 42 years of loving service. He greatly missed everyone he worked with at the parish. Sam was a private, quiet family man who was protective of his flock. His children and grandchildren fondly remember Sam playing with them and doting on their every whim. He was content sitting in his chair watching television in his later years. He liked to walk at Eastland Mall with his buddies and collected clocks. Sam is survived by his wife Mary Anne; his two daughters, Fara Fach (Walter) and Mary Anne Dillon (Philip); his four adoring grandchildren, Eric, Lauren, Melissa and Matthew; and a sister Margaret Chirco. He was predeceased by siblings, Rosalie Munaco, Fanny Lafata and Jerome Biondo. Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday at the A. H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Avenue at Vernier Rd, Grosse Pointe Woods. The Holy Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Sunday evening. On Monday, his body will lie instate at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 21620 Greater Mack at Overlake in St. Clair Shores from 11:30 a.m. until mass begins at 12 noon. Rev. Fr. Richard Bartoszek will be the celebrant. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, c/o Congregation of St. Joseph Retirement Fund; P. O. Box 29; Nazareth, MI 49074-0029.