Samuel L. Cariddi

Samuel L. Cariddi

Sam Cariddi died unexpectedly at his home in Ithaca on April 7, 2021 at the age of 19. This loss leaves an aching and unfamiliar void in the lives of his family and friends, as well as those who were lucky enough to have even briefly made his acquaintance. His passing, during this season of renewal, underscores how his very being was an expression of springtime.

Sam's voice bounced and echoed lightly, like early morning birdsong. He stood tall and lean and bright-eyed, like the daffodils announcing the spring. His spirit moved with strength and determination and beauty, like the gorges now flushed with rain and melted snow. And his smile radiated the comfort and warmth of sudden sunlight on a spring day.

He was born on June 5, 2001 and attended Beverly J. Martin Elementary School, Lehman Alternative Community School, and the University of Vermont, where he was a sophomore majoring in Political Science.

His earliest classroom experiences unleashed a fascination with education that defined his public school years. To Sam, teachers were superheroes, saving the world with markers, composition books, and photocopy machines. Their caring and self-assurance were qualities he not only admired but also cultivated within himself. Year after year, Sam's own creativity and humor deeply endeared him to countless teachers, students, adults, and close friends.

Sam worked at Collegetown Bagels, interned at Alternatives Federal Credit Union, and volunteered with the United Way of Tompkins County Youth and Philanthropy program. He was particularly proud of his term as a student representative on the ICSD Board of Education. It was a capstone to a public school career in which he played so many roles with sincere devotion.

He considered Vermont his second home, visiting his beloved relatives there often, especially at Christmas, when the snow-heavy pines and rolling country roads beckoned him. He fed his wanderlust with what he considered transcendent trips to Nepal, Ecuador, and Hawaii. He was an adventurous chef who created chic but simple meals that he expertly photographed and eagerly consumed. He was a skilled gardener, he played violin in a chamber group, he was a devoted playmate to his dog Ama, and he witnessed a total eclipse of the Sun. Most recently, Sam served as a senator in the UVM Student Government Association, working as a member of its Committee on Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity.

His passing is mourned by his parents, Tamara and Steve, and his brother, Malcolm, as well as his cherished Nana, several aunts and uncles, and numerous cousins in Vermont, New Jersey, Oregon, Virginia, Florida, and elsewhere. To honor Sam, please consider donating to Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service, or the Tompkins County SPCA. A celebration of his life will be held later this year. And if you're fortunate enough to have crossed paths with this unforgettable soul, please send a memory via email to SamCariddiMemories@gmail.com

Sam left us in the springtime of his life. We who laughed with him and loved him dearly will forever wonder how glorious his summer, fall, and winter would have been. But for now, let's appreciate the daffodils bursting forth in unexpected spots, as they will every spring, tall and lean and bright-eyed.