Sam G. Deleganes

Dear Alice and family,
It is with such sorrow that your beloved husband and father has passed away. My Dad baptized your beloved Sam, and that has been very special to us. Living in Seattle, we have not seen all of you as often as we would have liked, but it was wonderful seeing you at our last several Deligan reunions. May God Bless you and ease your sorrow. May his memory be eternal. With love, Barbara, Kay and family.

Our thoughts and love are with you and your family from here in Boston.

Growing up with Dan in Spokane, I have some fond memories of sitting around the living room with Sam (Mr. Deleganes to me as a kid), shooting the breeze, hearing stories and just laughing. Sam always had a smile on his face - and often a dog in his lap. I also will not forget how well he kept the yard and trees groomed - he took such pride. I always used to pass by the house and wonder how he did it so well!

It is wonderful to see the old family photos which really capture the richness of his life.

With fond memories and prayers to the entire family,

David Gipstein (Soni, Urvi and Tara)

Eulogy given by Sam Jr.

I admire my father. He did something I decided I could never do. He supported a wife and three kids thru college on a single income and still managed to retire comfortably. To me, that’s a great accomplishment and a good definition of a successful life. That wasn’t all. He managed to raise three successful sons along the way (I guess Mom would add that she had something to do with that too).

A man takes on a lot of heavy responsibilities when he decides to become a father. Dad met those responsibilities. Besides providing for his family’s food, clothing, and shelter he was always there. Let’s face it. Many times he was there bringing thunder and lightning, but you could tell that it was because he cared.

One example of how he cared that’s always stuck with me is when he turned down moving to Bartlesville due to the pleading of the family. It basically ended his chances at advancement with Phillips Petroleum. I’ve been to Oklahoma and I will be eternally grateful that he agreed not to move us there.

Dad provided his sons with a lot of valuable lessons. He taught us that the only way to accomplish anything meaningful is through hard work. Just as importantly he taught us how to work hard. He taught us that much of life is a competition, and it matters where you place. He taught us the value of a dollar (my wife sometimes says he taught me that one too well).

He also had a very quiet way of showing us what was important to him. For example - every day regardless of when he needed to be at work, he drove each of us to school. In one swoop he showed us he wanted life to be better for his children than for him- no marathon bus rides as he had into Colfax for his boys - and that an education - going to school - is an important foundation.

Dad wasn’t the most articulate of people when it came to personal subjects. But I think that he wanted all of his sons to succeed and that these lessons were his best attempt to insure that we would. I think he did well.

I’ve pretty much been talking about my experiences of Dad as a father. I want to mention one other thing about him that I think speaks volumes about the kind of man he was. When our country was threatened, he stood up and defended it. That is a rare and special thing.

Dad died of a terrible disease. It’s a disease that takes away the person long before it takes away his presence. So in one sense he hasn’t been with us for some time. I missed him when his mind went away, and I miss him more now.

Alice and Family,

Prayers are with you and your family.

God Bless,
Eva and Families

Our thoughts and prayers are with you!

God Bless,
Martha & Joe Legal

Know that I am thinking of you!

Love,
Sue Coston

My Mother & I send our sympathy for your loss of Sam.

Love,
Vasilike Triantis and Christina Deliganis

Dear Alice,

I was so sorry to hear about Sam. Although I have not seen him for years I still have fond memories of him. Maria and I share your sorrow & extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family.

Love,
Nick Hanches

Alice,

The last few years have been so difficult for you. Please take care of yourself ~ you very much deserve to take time and focus on you and the things that give you joy.

With love,
Melissa, John, Isaac & Daniel Koenig

All the years we knew Sam, he always greeted us with his warm and generous simile. We have happy memories of him, as you all do too. May those happy times sustain you and give you comfort.

May his memory always be eternal, with our love,
Koumbara Hanches, George and Alexandra

Alice,

Our prayers and love are with you.