SAM REIFEL

IN MEMORY OF
SAM REIFEL
Okuu T'sawae ("Turtle from the Misty Mountain")
New York City and Santa Clara Pueblo
October 1978 – February 2025
Sam was born in New York City while his parents were working on an ambulance service in the South Bronx. Sam entered the spirit world a year ago after a lengthy illness. He was laid to rest at Santa Clara Pueblo in February 2025.
His dad, Robert, is from New York City; his mom, Patricia, is of Santa Clara Pueblo, NM. His grandmother, Agnes Naranjo, and great-grandfather, Severiano Naranjo, were from Santa Clara Pueblo.
Sam worked as a filmmaker and recording artist for musicians in New York City and around the U.S. He also started a real estate brokerage in Manhattan to help his clients-specifically artists, musicians, designers, and filmmakers-find great spaces in which to be successful.
Sam's advice to us all:
"Get outside. Look for the beauty. Have a great adventure every day."
Thank you, Sam. You loved all of the earth-climbing mountains and reaching for the most fantastic experiences. You loved all cultures, traveling all over the world and making friends on six continents. You were here to make others' lives better.
You loved the mountains, beaches, rivers, far-off lakes and streams, open fields, and plains. You loved your home, New York City, and your wonderful friends and business colleagues. You also loved your other home, Santa Clara Pueblo, NM, and all your relatives there, as well as your special home in the mountains of Chamonix, France.
You loved music, dance, art, films, NYC ferry rides, art galleries, and beautiful old buildings. You loved the New York Yankees, New York Knicks, and Florida Gators.
"Sports therapy … the place we can go and it's okay to just scream for two hours."
A year ago, you left this earth, and still your friends across the United States and around the world call your family, sharing the joy you brought them and asking if we need anything. Thank you. We miss you every afternoon and sunset. Today-especially today-we will go out and have an adventure.
Sam is survived by his parents, of Santa Fe, NM, and his devoted, loving sister, Peggy Reifel, of Gainesville, FL, and Santa Clara Pueblo, as well as many uncles, aunts, and cousins from New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Santa Clara Pueblo, NM.
We would like to thank Sam's uncle Joseph Abeyta; aunt Donna Abeyta; cousin Robert Abeyta; uncle Upton Ethelbah; uncle Jerry Vermillion; uncle Larry; cousin Jon; aunt Bernadette Sanders and family, for all their love, compassion, and help this past year. Thank you to Mr. Gilbert Naranjo for his guidance.
We are grateful for our Santa Fe and Albuquerque, NM; Gainesville, FL; New York City; New Jersey; California; and Pennsylvania family and friends who have extended their generous hearts to us.
We especially want to thank and extend blessings to Mr. James Naranjo, Governor of Santa Clara Pueblo, for his support, leadership, and spiritual guidance during this time.
In Sam's memory, may we celebrate life with joy, humor, generosity, and kindness.