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Samuel Kalil Obituary
Sam was born in Lawrence, Mass., in 1912, the son of Elias and Marie Kalil., and was one of five children. The family lived most of their lives in New London.
In 1938, Sam married Gladys Destromp, and they raised their three children on Bank Street and Greenway Road in New London. They had been married nearly 70 years when Gladys died in 2008.
Sam graduated from Chapman Technical High School in 1931, where he participated in track and received numerous medals. He worked at General Dynamics during World War II and retired from Pfizer after working for there many years. He also had his own rug cleaning company.
Sam bowled in the Pfizer league and was an avid bowler until his early 90s. Sam and his late wife, Gladys, were members of St. Ann's Melkite Catholic Church in Waterford. Sam was a member and past president of the American Lebanese-Syrian Society. He always took great care of himself and believed in healthy living and eating.
He is survived by his daughter, Marsha O'Connor and her husband, James, of Waterford, Sandra Tuthill and husband, Bruce, of Hingham, Mass., and son, Sam Kalil and his wife, Heidi, of Duxbury, Mass. Sam was known as "Papa" to his eleven grandchildren and their families including, Doreen Cavanagh, Dianne Steen, Kristin Crump, Whitney Presutti, Kelley Tuthill, Tracey Buckeridge, Melissa Forger, Samantha, Max, and Jack Kalil. Papa also had 20 great-grandchildren who love him very much.
He was predeceased by his siblings, Jennie Kalil, Fred Kalil, Alice Abood, and Eugene Kalil, and by his beloved grandson, James O'Connor.
Papa always had a joke to tell, a warm conversation for a stranger, and an oldie to sing. We will miss him terribly. Family was always the most important part of Sam Kalil's life.
A funeral liturgy will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Ann Melkite Catholic Church, Cross Road, Waterford, with entombment following in St. Mary Mausoleum. Calling hours are from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 12 Ocean Ave., New London.
Memorial contributions may be directed to either St. Ann Melkite Catholic Church, 41 Cross Road, Waterford CT 06385 or to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105-1942.
Please visit www.neilanfuneralhome.com for directions or to sign Sam's online guestbook.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Samuel Kalil
Mark Shasha
December 22, 2009
What a wonderful life. It was always good to see Sam and Gladys years ago. They were part of the beloved community at St. Ann's which was a place I remember with only love and affection. To see Sam was also to remember many happy days of the AMLSYRS gatherings at Harkeness and Ocean Beach in the 1960's and 70's.
In many ways it was a great time to be alive and Sam knew it.
My condolences to the family for your loss.
May his memory be eternal.
December 20, 2009
Dear Marsha, Jim and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. May the precious memories of your time with your
Dad bring you comfort..
Paula and Tony Jessuck
December 20, 2009
Dear Marsha and family,
I am so sorry to hear of your dads passing. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and family at this very difficult time.
Lovingly,
Alice Bauman
December 19, 2009
My late father, Murry Gruskin, was a very close friend of Gene Kalil and always spoke so highly of the Kalil family. My sincere sympathy on your loss -- I know Mr. Samuel Kalil will be forever in the hearts of his family and friends.
Sincerely,
Muriel Gruskin Sandler
Carmel, Indiana
Kevin Kenyon
December 19, 2009
He was a wonderful guy with a great family. To younger Sammy and family I send my best wishes. He had a long, happy and prosperous life. We should all be so lucky.
Gail & Jim Coleman
December 19, 2009
Dear Marsha & Jim,
We know how hard it is to loose one of your family members, and we want you to know our hearts are with you. We say thank you to Our Lord for allowing you to have your Dad for so many years. Love,
Gail & Jim Coleman
marvin hyatt
December 18, 2009
Marvin Hyatt remembers Sam and the jokes they told each other and laughed and laughed and laughed
Ray Santos
December 18, 2009
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
Gary Apicelli
December 18, 2009
I spent many years bowling with Sammy
in the Pfizer Bowling League .. we had so many good times , he was great guy and always had a good joke and he would say I have a million of them .. and when we would have a beer Sammy would have his nip of Ginseng and a few Vitamins . he was a true friend and will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
Pete & Carole Joyce
December 18, 2009
Our Sympathy to the entire Kalil Family, especially Sandy. My wife Carole went to school with Sandy and our daughters were born on the same day. Mr. Kalil was a fine gentleman and will be sadly missed. Our prayers are with you.
Robert "Pete" & Carole Joyce
"Waterford Hardware Store"
Bob Corbeil
December 18, 2009
He was a very nice man with a very welcoming and friendly heart. I have many memories of bowling with him and sharing many laughs. Very sorry for your loss.
JOHN AND ORCHIS MOON,JR
December 18, 2009
I workded with Sam at Pfizer for a good many years. He was an outstandingly nice man. I would like to send our condolences to the family.
Barbara Gomes
December 18, 2009
Dear Marsha and Jim
Sorry to read of your Dad's passing. He was a great gentleman. Always very cheerful and had something to say to make you smile. I will always remember him. My prayers are with you.
Jim & Mary Ellen Tripp
December 18, 2009
Jim, Marsha and Family,
Our deepest sympathies are with you .
John Gorra
December 18, 2009
Dear Kalil Family,
I am sorry for your loss. Your Dad was a gem. He was such a kind man and full of life. My parents (Joe and Evelyn) thought highly of him and your Mom. May God be your comfort and strength. His legacy is yours now and he has left three precious children in you.
God Bless,
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