Samuel Wayne DiVincenti, Sr.

Sammy Wayne DiVincenti, Sr., 75, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana died Sunday, March 16, 2025. He was born on May 17, 1949, in Baton Rouge to Lucy Manisco and Joseph Salvador DiVincenti, Sr. He was the oldest of their eight children, and our mother was so proud that her oldest and youngest sons were born exactly 12 years apart. He had to fill in as surrogate parent, while they were running the business, and as soon as he was nine years old, he started working at DiVincenti Brothers, Inc., until the business was sold in 2007.

He graduated from Catholic High School in 1967, and attended LSU, all the while working long hours at DiVincenti Brothers. He enjoyed coaching and managing sports teams during his school years. He married the Love of His Life in 1970, JoAnn Ruffino, and they had nearly 55 wonderful years together. He is survived by his daughter, Stacy Lynn DiVincenti (Rob), and his son, Sammy Wayne DiVincenti, Jr. (Samantha). He is the grandfather of seven, Karlee Marie, Sophia Grace, Ava Nicole, Emilia Claire, Lola Belle, Sam Wayne DiVincenti III, and Kaara Ann. He also had two step-grandchildren, Sydney and Drew. He is also survived by his seven siblings: Joey DiVincenti, David DiVincenti (Re), Phyllis Draughon, Dotty Smith (BJ), Ginny DiVincenti, LuAnn Prejean (Randy), Gerald DiVincenti (Mary), and his double first cousin, Michael DiVincenti, Jr. (Aglonie). He also had numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Lucy, his grandparents, Salvador and Felice DiVincenti, and Sam and Dora Manisco, and his in-laws, Joe and Gwen Ruffino.

He was a lifetime member of the Catholic High School Men’s Club, and a past President. He was also a member of the AIA Italian Club, the Sacred Heart Knights of Columbus, the Sons of Italy, and the Sertoma Club where he also served as past President through the years.

Sammy loved visiting with his friends and sharing a meal. He was a great salesman for DiVincenti Brothers and later on working for S&W Wholesale Foods based out of Hammond, LA, where he retired in 2022.

His pallbearers will be Michael Sirchia, Robert Draughon, III, Joseph DiVincenti, III, David DiVincenti, Jr., Colby Draughon, Skyler Prejean, Billy Smith, III, and Drew Peterson.

Visitation will be held at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Highway in Baton Rouge on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 2025 Stuart Avenue in Baton Rouge from 9:30 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. followed by a procession with entombment at St. George Catholic Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials or donations can be made in Sammy’s name to Catholic High School or the American Diabetes Association.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com