Samuel Lee Cleveland

Samuel Lee Cleveland, 77, formerly of Mattydale, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 13, 2025, after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia. He graduated from North Syracuse High School in 1966. Immediately after high school, he proudly served six years in the Navy during wartime and earned an honorable discharge. He was assigned to the Amphibious Construction Battalion. He retired after 42 years of service as a Motor Vehicle Operator with the United States Postal Service (USPS). He earned awards from the USPS for over a million safe driving miles.

Samuel was well known for being a Mustang enthusiast. His favorite car he owned was a 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350. He enjoyed participating in local car shows and was a previous member of the Syracuse Shelby Mustang Club. As a young adult, he enjoyed racing at ESTA Dragstrip in Cicero and riding motorcycles. His fondest memory is spending time with his brother and sister-in-law in the Outer Banks every May. He didn’t care about technology. He found happiness tinkering in his garage, going to car shows and spending time with friends. He had a great sense of humor and always loved to see people smile. We will truly miss his kind and sweet soul.

Samuel is predeceased by his beloved wife of 24 years, Edith Cleveland in 1995, his mother, Lydia Cleveland in 2010 and his father, Johnnie Cleveland in 1979.

Samuel is survived by his daughters, Samantha (Jason) Cleveland and Amy (Earl) Wallis; grandchildren: Edward, Earl II and Emily Wallis; a brother John (Barb) Cleveland; his sister, Lydia (George) Cusack; girlfriend, Deb Eastwood; his three nephews: John and Michael Cleveland and Jake Daniels; a niece, Julia LoFaso; many cousins including his dear cousin, David Doy, and lifelong friends who were like family. This is not goodbye, we will see you again.

The family would like to sincerely thank the staff and residents at Bishop’s Commons Assisted Living who treated him like family. We instantly knew that he was in the right place, and he was well taken care of. While at Bishop’s Commons his life was enriched, and he thrived for a couple of years. He enjoyed the activities and laughs there. He especially enjoyed playing volleyball and being a member of the “BC Drummers”.

A special thank you to the St. Luke 7th floor staff who treated him with compassion and kindness in the last months of his life. They truly treated him like family by making sure he was comfortable and loved. In addition, the family would like to express their gratitude to the compassionate and caring staff at CNY Neurological Consulting for helping to improve Samuel’s quality of life. We are forever grateful for your care and support.

Private graveside services with military honors will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please donate in his memory to HumaneCNY, 4915-1/2 West Taft Road, Liverpool, NY 13088.