Name: Visitation for Samuel Mastrogiacomo
Start: 2018-11-12T19:00:00.000Z
End: 2018-11-12T22:00:00.000Z
Location: Dudley Funeral Homes, Edgewater Chapel

Samuel Mastrogiacomo
01/23/1922 - 11/02/2018
Samuel Mastrogiacomo, age of 96 in Edgewater, passed away Friday, Nov. 2, 2018. Sam was born in Philadelphia, PA and moved to the area in 2001 from Sewell, NJ. He served in the U.S. Army during WW II and retired after 33 years of service as Master Sergeant from the Army Air Corps, 8th AF, 2nd Air Division where he was a tail gunner on a B-24 Liberator. Sam was also an aircraft machinist at the Philadelphia Naval Yard for 30 years. He was a member of Bella Vista Baptist Church, American Legion Post #285 and Am Vets Post #2, all in Edgewater. He was also a member of the 8th Air Force Historical Society, the Heritage League of the 2nd Air Division and the American-Italian Club of New Smyrna Beach. Survivors include his wife, Joan; three sons, Sammy and Mark Mastrogiacomo, both of Edgewater and Nelson (Julie) Brown of Newnan, GA; four daughters, Brenda (Joe) Hanby of Vero Beach, Sherry (Fred) MacLeod of Vineland, NJ, Julie (Rich) Elefante of Cumming, GA and Jill (David) Smith of Dallas, GA; two brothers, Mike Mastrogiacomo of Philadelphia and Anthony (Mary Lou) Mastrogiacomo of Edgewater and ten grandchildren. Visitation will be from 2 PM until 5 PM Monday, Nov. 12, 2018 at Dudley Edgewater Funeral Chapel. Funeral service will be 11 AM Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018 at Bella Vista Baptist Church, 3232 S. Ridgewood Ave., Edgewater, with Pastor John L. Marsh, officiating. Burial with military honors will be 2:30 PM Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018 at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, Mims. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Collings Foundation.org, who is dedicated to maintaining and preserving WWII era aircraft.

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Published by Daytona Beach News-Journal from Nov. 6 to Nov. 8, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Samuel Mastrogiacomo

6 Entries

The Chirico Family

August 17, 2019

Our deepest condolences to the entire Mastrogiacomo family. Sam was a great man.

Tom & Ruth Dye

November 11, 2018

Sam & family have been good friends for years. Our sincerest condolences to Joan, Mark, Fred & Sherry, Joe & Brenda.

Randy Riotto

November 11, 2018

I was very sorry to hear of the passing of my friend Sam. I met Sam and Joan at the 2nd Air Division Of the 8th Air Force reunions in the mid 1990s . I Was attending with my friend Al who was also a gunner in the 445thBomb Group so you could only imagine the great stories. But what we also had was alot of laughs at many of Sam's stories.Joan and Sam were so warm and welcoming long after my friend passed away. He was just a great guy ,a regular guy . That is how he described Jimmy Stewart to me . Well I never met Jimmy Stewart so if anyone ever represented courage, patriotism, family , friends and dedication to duty it was Sam Mastrogiacomoa a true American hero. I pray he is with his crew and friend Vernon sharing happy times together. To Joan his navigator, his children ,brothers and sister my deep condolences and sympathies. sincerely Randy Riotto

Terry Althouse

November 9, 2018

Sam- what a delightful character he was! We loved visiting and playing cards with him and Joan for hours. We will miss our brother-in-law's humor and dedication to his family. We love you, Sam.

November 8, 2018

My Deepest sympathy goes out to the family and friends. May the comfort of our heavenly father who is our Rock & Stronghold give you peace and in this time of grief. He is our shield and the God of refuge. Psalms 18:2.

Curt Reus

November 7, 2018

Sam was a dear friend of our family for many years. I had the privilege of knowing him for about ten years, of that time, thru an initial connection he had with my Father. He was a fine man, a patriot & a true American Hero (who served his country at war & in peace).
He was justifiably proud of his exceptional Military service, especially during air combat in the often deadly skies over Germany during the Second World War with the Mighty Eighth Air Force.
As I learned, over time, Sam served with my Father in the same Bomb Group (445th), albeit in another squadron as a 'waist' & tail-gunner (Armorer-Gunner) in the venerable B-24 "Liberator" Bomber.
Sam, as I've also learned, was firing at the German Fighter Aircraft that later fired a rocket under my Dad's airplane, which exploded, causing a fire that prompted my Dad's crew to "bail-out" on the 24th of February, 1944 Over the years, I've thought, perhaps without Sam's efforts to shoot-down the German Pilot, maybe the rocket would have instead impacted my Dad's Aircraft, causing a worse result. I imagine my Sisters & I own our lives in at least some way to Sam's bravery that day.
I was always happy to see Sam at various reunions, an other gatherings of veterans. He seemed to retain a youthful 'spark' & zeal that unfortunately was often absent from many older veteran's. In many ways, Sam reminded me of men I'd served with in my 20-year career in Marine & Naval Aviation; He was someone I instantly related to, despite our difference in age. His energy, 'spark' & willingness to share his unassuming story, seemed at most times, sort of ageless, usually exuding the spirit of a much younger man. This was Sam to me. So it was somewhat of a shock to me to hear of his passing.
I enjoyed knowing the man, a friend to me, & a great loss.
Though lost to us now, I also know he has gone to his richly deserved & great reward . . .

Respectfully,
Curt G. Reus
AM1(AW) USN retired
(son of Major Joseph H. Reus, USSAF & USAF retired)

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