Photo courtesy of Douglass Edgerley & Bessom Funeral Home
Reading, Massachusetts
Aug 30, 1989 – May 10, 2014 (Age 24)
Stephen Paul Sample, age 24, of Reading, died peacefully on May 10, surrounded by his family, after a brief illness.
Steve was born in Boston and spent the first 5 years of his life in Brookline, MA. He moved to Reading when he was five years old, attended Reading Public Schools and graduated from Reading Memorial High School in 2007. He, also, went on to attend UMass Lowell and Middlesex Community College.
Steve was happiest when he was playing baseball. He loved pitching and playing shortstop. In the summer of 2002 he was elected to play for the Eastern Mass All Stars, a team that played in the National Tournament of Champions in Cooperstown at Field of Dreams Park. That team made it to the "sweet sixteen" in the 64 team tournament. He led the team in home runs, RBI, and recorded the most wins and a save as a pitcher. He also played two seasons for the Reading High School varsity baseball team and was a starter on the team that won the Middlesex League Championship in 2007.
Recently, he had been working at Market Basket in Woburn for four years.
He will be deeply missed by his parents, Marianne and David Sample, of Reading, and brother, Eric Sample of Lynnfield, as well as many other family and friends. A memorial service for Stephen will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 239 Woburn St. in Reading on Wed, May 21 at 11:00. Following the ceremony there will be a gathering for friends and family in the Church hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Friends of Reading High School Baseball, P.O. Box 133; Reading, MA 01867
Miss you and I will never forget you.
Jessica Carvalho
May 07, 2025 | Medford, MA | Coworker
Missing you ! Wish we were still working at Market basket and closing together.. we worked great together and always got the job done! I miss how u would always wash the dishes and oven for me lol ! All the jokes we made and making fun of one an other lol Such good times!
Jessica Carvalho
May 07, 2019 | Medford, MA | Friend
David, Marianne, and Eric, Please accept my deepest sympathy and prayers.
Ellen Hayes
July 30, 2014 | West Milford, NJ
David and Marianne, we are so sorry to hear of the loss of your son. We send our condolences.
Tom and Fina Hindman
May 29, 2014
To the Sample Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Phil&Mary &Phillip Recco
E-Mass Baseball
May 24, 2014
Steve was a wonderful person, and I saw the good in him. I always looked forward to seeing him at work. He will forever be in my heart and apart of me.
Madeline Blanchette
May 22, 2014 | Stoneham, MA
To the Sample Family:
I have had the pleasure of getting to know Steve over the past 8 years as I am Derek Gregorio's fiancee. I have fond memories of Steve walking through the woods to come hang out with all of us, always having a funny story to share or a crazy baseball play to describe. I especially enjoyed when he would play his guitar for us. He always had us laughing! Steve will hold a special place in my heart as he was always just "another little brother".
My thoughts &...
Andrea McNeely
May 21, 2014 | Stoneham, MA
I remember that when I was in the 5th grade Steve was only in 4th grade and he saw some of his friend's making fun of me and told them to lay off. It was the nicest thing anyone has ever done from me to this day. It meant a lot that even at such a young age Steve showed me such compassion and kindness. He will surely be missed.
May 21, 2014 | Sanford, FL
Mr and Mrs Sample,
You do not know me but I was at the memorial today for Steve. What a beautiful way to remember your son. I knew him briefly through my niece and the Market Basket. After being there today I realized I have had contact with Dave as well, having worked in the field for several years. The strength you displayed as a family today was amazing. When you must be hurting so bad, you made sure others got to speak and hear of what a wonderful person your son was. Thank you...
Judy Nestico
May 21, 2014 | Woburn, MA