Samuel Phillip "Sam" Schrader

1981 - 2025

Unionville, Connecticut - Samuel Phillip Schrader, born January 30, 1989, in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, left this world far too soon at the age of 36 on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. Sam lived in Hopkins and Northfield, MN prior to moving to Connecticut with his family at the age of ten.

Sam attended Farmington High School where he was a member of the choir, performed in theater productions, and rowed crew. He was known around town for his 1969 Red VW bus with which he shared the name Big Red. Sam graduated in 2007 in the top 5% of the class. He was the recipient of two awards of academic excellence in Environmental Science and Drama and was a member of National Honors Society and Spanish National Honors Society.

A gifted vocalist, Sam brought music with him wherever he went and always had a song in his heart. After graduation, Sam attended NYU, Tisch School of the Arts for one year before transferring to Vassar. At Vassar, Sam followed his dual passions, majoring in Environmental Science and minoring in Music. He continued singing, studying voice, and appearing in theater productions including Little Shop of Horrors where he wowed audiences as Audrey, the plant. Sam graduated with honors from the Environmental Science department at Vassar in 2011.

After college, to his utter delight, Sam landed a part in a touring production of the Wizard of Oz-his favorite musical! Sam then appeared in two different shows at Ivoryton Playhouse in Ivoryton, CT during their 2012 summer season: he was thrilled to be cast as Corny Collins in Hairspray-another of his favorite musicals-and in Ivoryton's production of Oliver Twist.

Always an adventurer, Sam moved to Santa Fe, NM where he joined old friends and left a lasting impression on all he met. In Santa Fe, Sam pursued his passions with vigor: he worked as a singing waiter at La Casa Sena where he serenaded diners with showtunes, performed with several local choirs, and explored the Southwest with a crew of fellow outdoor enthusiasts.

Sam later returned to Connecticut where he immersed himself once again in music. He brought his talents to the wild, burlesque-style Mama D's productions at Playhouse on Park. Sam performed with the Ballet Theater Company in West Hartford, appearing as one of the ugly stepsisters in Cinderella where he delighted audiences with his antics and in The Nutcracker. Over the last couple summers, Sam sang God Bless America at Hartford Yard Goats games where his final high notes were met with roaring applause from the audience. He proudly noted that the baseball stadium was the largest audience for which he had ever performed. At the time of his death, Sam was a member of the Connecticut Gay Men's Chorus.

Throughout his life, Sam found deep peace and purpose in nature. He hiked with friends in Santa Fe and across the northeast, reveled in the beauty of the Farmington River and the views from Heublein Tower, and had recently developed a passion for gardening.

Sam had a contagious, joyful laugh that could fill a room, and he will be remembered for the way he would throw his head back and cackle with abandon. Singing came as easy as breathing to Sam and he always had a song to share. Sam will live on, in laughter and in song, in the hearts and minds of those that love him.

Sam is survived by his mother, Gretchen Schrader; father, Tom Textor; sister, Alexa Jordan and her daughter, his beloved niece, Lily; his brother, Jake; and a large family including aunts, uncles, and many cousins.

A remembrance will be held at Mary and John Klockeman's home at 2989 140th St. E., Dundas, MN on Saturday, September 13. Gather at 10:00 a.m., program at 11:00 with lunch to follow.

Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to https://www.gayandsober.org/