Sam J. Greco

1940 - 2023

SAM J. GRECO
November 27, 1940 - November 14, 2023
Sam J. Greco, beloved husband, father, grandfather, & great-grandfather was welcomed into the loving arms of Jesus on November 14, 2023. Sam was born in San Antonio, Texas on November 27, 1940. He was the only American born to his Italian immigrant parents. Sam was blessed coming into this world by San Francesco di Paola through the prayers of his mother. Sam's mother, Elvira Battafarano Greco, was devoted to the saint and because of this his life's mission was to continue his mother's love for the saint. Being born of Italian immigrants, his parents only spoke Italian. At an early age, Sam was driven to excel and took it upon himself to learn English with his neighbor.

Sam grew up in San Antonio and attended Central Catholic High School, where he graduated in 1959. On June 5, 1960, his dream came true when he married his high school sweetheart Kathy.
Sam and Kathy have 4 beautiful children: Darrell, Sharon, Diane, and Brenda. Family meant the world to Sam and his life revolved around them. Sam loved traveling and took his family on many worldwide adventures. Sam was a savant in the stock market and loved sharing his innate wisdom with others. Even professional traders would seek out his advice. He enjoyed jogging, swimming, fishing, hunting, and watching his favorite team the Houston Astros with his family. Most of all he loved cooking and passing on his generational family recipes. He taught the family a pinch of this and a dollop of that would always make that just perfect! Sam's love of cooking extended to the church community spaghetti and meatball dinners where he involved every member of his family to help roll meatballs and make the sauce for hundreds of people year after year.

Greco's father, Salvatore Greco was a vegetable peddler and laid some of the first bricks of the San Francesco di Paola Church and his mother Elvira was the founder of the Altar and Rosary Society.

During high school Sam worked at Jefferson State Bank where he discovered his passion for banking. Sam began his college career at St. Mary's University then transferred to Louisana State University where he received his bachelor's degree in Banking. Sam received his master's degree in finance from the University of Chicago.

Sam was a bank examiner for the Texas State Department of Banking. Afterward, Sam was hired as a Senior Vice President and Advisory Director at Texas Bank. He later was promoted to bank President and Director. This made him the youngest appointed Bank President in Texas. After a successful tenure he retired as the youngest bank President in Texas.

Some of Sam's business accomplishments were Advisory Council of Texas Southern University, Advisory Director of American Institute of Banking, President and Director of the Bank Administration Institute, Board of Trustee Member at Our Lady of the Lake University, Associate member at Trinity University, Founder of the New Account Procedure System, (NAPS) which was used by the San Antonio Clearing House.

Sam co-founded many successful businesses some of them being, Greco Construction, S&K Management, Pecan Valley Childcare Center, and SARIKA International with his wife Kathy.

Sam was a very compassionate man and had a servant's heart. He volunteered for many organizations some of which were President of the Eastside Lions Club, Member of China Grove Lions Club, Director of Southeast Chamber of Commerce, Director of Southside Chamber of Commerce, and endless others. He showed this by all the volunteering he did throughout the community.

Sam's love of Kathy and the saint led to his mission of leaving a legacy to honor them. His proudest feat to San Francesco di Paola was leaving the Italian community two life size bronze statues of the saint that he commissioned and then donated. One was donated to the Basilica in Paola, Italy and the other statue was dedicated to the San Francesco di Paola Church in San Antonio.

Sam's service to the Italian community included First Heraldi of San Francesco di Paola appointed by Pope Francis to represent the United States, Member San Francesco di Paola Church, President and Board Member of Christopher Columbus Italian Society, Member UNICO National, Member and Man of the Year of San Francescani Society, Member of World Foundation of San Francesco di Paola, Consigliere Con.it.es of Houston. Because of this appointment Sam and Kathy traveled throughout the United States and numerous countries worldwide including Italy, Argentina and Canada spreading the word of peace. He also received the Lumen Gentium Award which was established at the time of the Second Vatican Council instituted by the Archbishop of San Antonio. Sam received the highest honor bestowed by the Italian government with a Cavalierato, (Knighthood), with the title of Knight of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity by the President of Italy, Giorgio Napolitano. Throughout Sam's lifetime he was blessed to meet and be in the presence of Pope Pius XII, Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis.

Despite all his accomplishments and successes, Sam has never forgotten his humble roots and has always taken care of the less fortunate with his generosity and selfless service which was routinely unwitnessed.

He was a guiding light in the lives all of whom knew him. We all miss him beyond belief.

Sam was preceded in death by his father Salvatore Greco, his mother Elvira Battafarano Greco, his sisters Rita Greco Branca and Jean Greco Monaco and the love of his life Katherine Fisher Greco. He is survived by his children, Darrell Greco (Karan), Sharon Pirro (Joe), Diane Greco (Sylvia Lopez), and Brenda Greco Bowerman (Karen), his precious 8 grandchildren Wilmot IV (Horizon), Nicolette, Nicholas, Samuel, Joseph, Sam Joseph, Katherine, and Rudy and his most recently a great-grandchild, Alice Katherine, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

Memorial Services will be at San Francesco di Paola Catholic Church on Tuesday, November 21, 2023. Family will receive friends at 10:00 A.M. followed by a Rosary at 11:00 A.M. Sam's "Celebration of Life" Mass at 11:30 A.M. in lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to be made to the Italian Society, 201 Piazza Italia, San Antonio, TX 78207.