Samuel D. DiBlasi

Samuel D. DiBlasi passed away peacefully at the age of seventy-six on the morning of October 26, 2024. He was the husband of the late Callie J. DiBlasi, with whom he shared fifty-three years of marriage. Sam is survived by his daughter, Tricia Fasnacht, his son-in-law, Leslie Fasnacht, and his beloved granddaughter, Emma Fasnacht.
Born in Reading, he was the son of the late Samuel and Alda (Bianchi) DiBlasi. A 1966 graduate of Reading High School, Sam joined the United States Navy in 1967. For the next two years, he sailed the Atlantic and Mediterranean aboard the U.S.S. Grand Canyon, exploring the wonders of Europe. He spoke fondly of his time in Scotland, which he described as breathtakingly beautiful. Upon returning home, he remained in the United States Naval Reserves until 1972. Cherishing his time in the Navy, he regularly attended the yearly reunion with his shipmates, sharing stories of days gone by.
After marrying Callie in 1971, the two resided in Reading for three years before moving to the picturesque town of Denver, Pennsylvania. Sam loved everything about his new hometown, referring to it as Mayberry, due to its peaceful atmosphere and welcoming residents. It was there, in 1974, that Sam and Callie embarked upon an adventure that would change the course of their lives. On July 5th, they opened DiBlasi's Sandwich Shop. For the next forty-two years, he and his family delighted the community with delicious cheesesteaks, mouth-watering Italian sandwiches, and enduring friendship.
For Sam, the people that walked through the doors of his establishment were more than customers- they were friends. He relished taking the time to get to know each customer and their family members, often sitting with them as they ate. He forged such a strong bond with his customers that he knew their order before they even had a chance to place it. After retiring in 2016, he deeply missed the daily interactions that the restaurant afforded him with so many wonderful people.
Undoubtedly, Sam's greatest accomplishment was his family. If Sam loved someone, he loved them fiercely and forever. He was loyal in a manner that is rarely witnessed, supporting his daughter and granddaughter at every sporting event, music concert, and theatrical production they participated in. He was the person everyone turned to for advice- a testament to his steady nature. A kindness that was shown towards him or someone he cared for was never forgotten. He was incredibly grateful for all of the love in his life and the joys it brought forth. He was especially close with his son-in-law, Leslie. The two talked and texted for hours about their shared love of sports, particularly the Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies, and Sixers.
The love of his life was his granddaughter, Emma. From the moment she was born, the two were inseparable. One of their favorite times of year was autumn, when they made sojourns to their favorite pumpkin farm to pick the perfect specimens to decorate with and spent blissful hours trapsing around Cherry Crest Adventure Farm. Sam could not get enough of the Apple Blasters, grinning every time an apple soared towards its target. The pair also enjoyed walking the crystalline beaches of Stone Harbor, New Jersey, venturing to the warm tidal pools of the Point to search for seashells and to see how close the sandbar could get them to Wildwood.
Yet, the adventures did not stop there. Sam looked forward to the family trip to Walt Disney World every year. One of his favorite parts of the trip was perusing the menus of the hundreds of restaurants available. Without a doubt, he loved EPCOT, although Magic Kingdom also held a special place in his heart because it reminded him of Emma's earlier years. His favorite rides were Living with the Land and Dumbo, The Flying Elephant. He always rode in an elephant with Emma, beaming with pride that she still loved to hang out with her Pop. Sam also never missed an opportunity to take a picture with his two favorite Disney characters- Donald Duck and Lotso.
Sam had a wide network of friends who shared the same hobbies that he did. He was extremely active, enjoying intense cardio workouts and leisurely strolls with his daughter along the Ephrata Rail Trail. Another activity that he enjoyed was playing cards, particularly Hi-Lo Poker. He looked forward to game nights and the conversations that followed the next day. He could always be seen smiling as he and his friends recounted the previous nights' escapades. Ultimately, Sam sought joy in everything he did, while simultaneously staying true to his core values- honesty, loyalty, and integrity.
Sam will be honored with a viewing on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at Roseboro Stradling Funeral Home, 533 Walnut Street, Denver from 9 to 10:30 am. This will be followed by a funeral service officiated by Pastor Tera Brunner. Interment will take place at Gethsemane Cemetery.
Flowers are welcome, but contributions may also be made in his memory to Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development, 625 Community Way, Lancaster, PA 17603.
Arrangements by Roseboro Stradling Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc., Denver.