Samuel L. Toni

1941 - 2022

Samuel L. Toni
Samuel L. Toni, age 80 of Derby entered into rest on Sunday, May 8, 2022 at CT Hospice in Branford with his loving family by his side. He was the devoted husband of 57 years to Barbara (Laton) Toni. Sam was born and raised in Derby, the smallest City in the State of Connecticut on September 24, 1941, son of the late Louis and Maria (Cardinali) Orazetti Toni. He attended Derby High School and graduated in 1960. During his high school years he played Varsity Football, Basketball and Track. Sam attended the Vaughn Barber School in Hartford, CT and received his Barber License in 1960. He attended Mattatuck Community College, Waterbury, CT and graduated in 1976 with a degree in Criminal Justice. He served two years in the U.S. Army as a Military Police Officer stationed in Bad Kreuznach, Germany during the Vietnam Era from 1963-1965. He played basketball there with the 709th Military Police Team throughout Germany. In 1966, he became a Security Officer with Sikorsky Aircraft, Stratford, CT until his retirement in 2004, where he retired as a Sergeant after 38 ½ years of service. In 1966, he began his football officiating career serving the Western Connecticut Football Association for the next 39 years. In 1967, he became a Basketball Official, IAABO for 17 years. Sam assisted in clinics held for new football officials and was on the Better Officiating Committee, Evaluation Committee and was a member of the CFOA. He refereed Varsity, JV, Freshman, Pop Warner and many playoffs and championship games throughout his career. Sam also coached Little League. He received the Vincent J. Reilly Distinguished Service Award in 2005, Connecticut Football Officials Association, Hall of Fame Western Board April 5, 2020 and the Jim Carey WCFOA Dedication Award in 2018. He was a Past President, Officer and member of the Derby Adriatic Marchegian Club. Sam was a member of the Catholic War Veterans and American Legion John H. Collins Post. Sam was a member of the Democratic Town Committee and City of Derby Finance Committee. He was an active member of St. Jude Church and volunteered at Bingo. Sam was a member of the Cappuccino Club, Derby and Shelton Senior Centers. He was a past member of the Hotchkiss Hose Company and the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials. Some of his hobbies include traveling, going to sporting events, avid reader, loved crossword puzzles, sudoku puzzles. visiting casinos and enjoying New York plays on Broadway and dinner at DiNico's Restaurant. Sam was also an avid UCONN and New York Yankees fan. Most of all, he enjoyed watching his granddaughters cheerleading, Lacrosse, volleyball and softball events. He is survived by his two sons, John Toni and Jeff Toni and his wife Robin, two beautiful granddaughters Josephine and Caroline Toni and sister Vivian McElroy. Sam was also survived by several nieces and nephews and loved his granddogs Maxie, Rudy and Brandi. He was predeceased by three brothers Olimpio and Flavio Orazietti and Evo Toni. Friends may call on Wednesday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Edward F. Adzima Funeral Home, 253 Elizabeth St., Derby. On Thursday, friends are invited to go directly to St. Jude Church, 71 Pleasant View Rd., Derby for his Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. His burial with military honors will follow at Mt. St. Peter Cemetery. The family requests that memorial contributions may be made to Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford, CT 06405. Friends may leave condolences at www.adzimafh.com.