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John F. Samay

FUNERAL HOME

James E. Humphrey Funeral Home - Pottsville

1112 West Market Street

Pottsville, Pennsylvania

John Samay Obituary

Name: Visitation for John F. Samay
Start: 2023-07-05T13:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-07-05T14:30:00.000Z
Location: James E. Humphrey Funeral Home - Pottsville

John F. Samay, 75, of Pottsville, loving husband, father and pop, died peacefully Monday, June 26, at Green Valley Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Pottsville.

He was born Sept. 9, 1947, in Pottsville, a son of the late Charles and Rose Mary O'Brian Phillips.

He was a 1965 graduate of Pottsville Area High School and Central Technical Institute, Kansas City, Missouri.

John was a Navy veteran, having served during the Vietnam War.

Prior to retiring, he worked for the General Public Utilities and Walmart distribution center.

John was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville, Stag Archer Club and was a Little League baseball coach.

Throughout his life, John loved cheering for Notre Dame, visiting the campus and also loved his sports memorabilia.

He was preceded in death by a grandmother, Mary Stump, and an aunt, Helen Derfler.

Surviving are his wife, Grace Lord Samay; two sons, Matthew Samay and his wife, Amy, and Kevin Samay; three grandchildren, Emersyn, Tyler and Riley Samay; two cousins who were like brothers to him, John and Thomas Derfler; nieces and nephews.

Service of Remembrance will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 5, from James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville, with Deacon John E. Quirk officiating. Family and friends are invited to visitation from 9 a.m. until the time of the services. The family would like to prefer remembrances in the form of contributions in memory of John be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Interment with military honors will follow in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville. Please share your memories and condolences with John's family by signing the guest book at www.jehumphreyfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Republican & Herald from Jul. 1 to Jul. 2, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for John Samay

Sponsored by James E. Humphrey Funeral Home - Pottsville.

14 Entries

Carol Annabelli

August 11, 2023

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. John was a gentle giant. So sorry to hear of his passing

George Heffner Jr

July 6, 2023

So sorry to see John pass. I was fortunate to enjoy knowing him during a large part of his life. He was a good man. May you find peace, Grace

Kathy Heffner

July 5, 2023

My sincere condolences to John's family on his passing. I worked at GPU with John. Shortly after the TMI accident, I was moved to the REM (radiation monitoring) team with John as my new "tech advisor". Radiation monitoring at TMI? Right after "the accident"?? I was still a 'newbie'....only out of college a year or two....and pretty intimidated with this new assignment. But John was calm, patient, and so willing to help me learn what I needed to do my new job. RIP my friend!

Monique Derfler

July 1, 2023

John Samay, cousin John, how do you describe a man who not only loved but had a heart for the underdog, the perceived ‘different,’ the meek? Sincere, concerned, loving: that’s John Samay.

As John became sick, Jack and I would reflect on stories involving John from childhood to adulthood. There’s so many we reminisced but one of our favorite is when John lived with us during the week for awhile to help with his work commute. We truly enjoyed having him here and our catahoula, Abby, had a new best friend, she loved John. Each weekend I’d clean his room, dust, vacuum, change the sheets, etc. And I’d remark to Jack how neat John kept his room and boy could he make the bed really nice. Totally surprised me because anyone who knows John knows that Grace waited on him hand and foot (‘Hey Grace . . .’). I contributed his bed making skills to his military service and training. Guess it was about a year after this arrangement was over and we were all together and I shared with the family how impressed I was with John’s ability to so neatly make the bed. John chimes in and says, ‘Monique, I never got into the bed, I slept on top of everything.’ Everyone couldn’t stop laughing! Holy smokes, he sure had me fooled.

John cried and was devastated when Danielle was killed. He always asked about my boys. He’d send me cute Frenchie dog pictures. He’d message me a note now and again. And we had some pretty long phone calls at times. He got into Facebook. To know John was to love him. Adoring his family, his little white dog, and his beloved grandchildren. Always laughed at Jack’s shenanigans, loved profound discussions, had a very strong Faith, that’s John. He will be missed. God Bless You John! Until we meet again, hug Danielle for me ❤

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Carolyn Averill

July 1, 2023

So sorry to read of John's passing. May he rest in peace. I missed seeing you both when I visited my husband.

Bill Heim

July 1, 2023

My deepest sympathies to Grace and her family. As well as being classmates at PHS, John and I were members of the Civil Air Patrol for several years. Every class reunion allowed us to reminisce about the 9 days we spent living on the mountain at the CAP Ranger and Survival School. Rest in peace old friend.

Marcia Cutler

June 30, 2023

Thank you John for sharing your love of baseball and taking me to card shows as youngster. I probably never said thank you enough. You were very inspirational as person, neighbor and coach.
You will be sadly missed.

David Silcox

June 30, 2023

Sorry to read the news about John. Take care Gracie!

Thomas Brown

June 30, 2023

I'm so sorry to hear the news of John's passing. If I were to use two words to describe John, they would be, Gentle Giant. I loved are conversations about sports, especially football.

My sincere condolences to John's Family at this most difficult time.

Bob Richardson

June 30, 2023

I worked with John at GPU for many years. Always a pleasure to be around. John was truly one of the good guys and we never held being an auditor against him! Rest in peace, my amigo.

Tom Vernetti

June 29, 2023

Sincerest condolences to John's family on your loss. Many, many fun memories of John at GPU....especially involving White Fang.
Rest in peace John....Semper Fi.
Tom

Ray Warmkessel

June 29, 2023

So sorry for your loss. I worked with John at GPU. I am from Landingville, Schuylkill County. I talked with John many times and took him home one time to your place off 183.

Andy Kolenick

June 28, 2023

Please accept my sincerest condolences. John was a great person and good friend. Always enjoyed going to the football games with him. He will be sorely missed.

William Moyer

June 28, 2023

I hope we can see each other again someday. Thanks for good memories. You will be remembered by all

Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results