Sabato "Sam" D'Ambrosi Jr.

Sabato "Sam" D'Ambrosi, age 93, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, September 26, 2025 at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford. Born in Waterbury on July 10, 1932, Sam was the son of the late Sabato and Lucia (Vergoti) D'Ambrosi. Sam attended Leavenworth High School and graduated from Wilby High School, Class of 1950. He was a proud U.S. Air Force Veteran having served during the Korean Conflict while stationed in Japan. Sam went on to earn his bachelor's degree in pharmacy from the University of Connecticut. He began his career working for both Della Pietro's and Pickett's Drug Stores before Charlotte Hungerford Hospital where he worked for 33 years until retiring as Director of Pharmacy. Sam was a lifelong communicant of Our Lady of Lourdes Church and a past member of the Waterbury Democratic Town Committee. Sam served as President of the Waterbury Board of Public Health for 26 years. The City of Waterbury recognized his decades of service, which included 29 years on the board. Sam was a familiar face at the Waterbury YMCA where he worked out seven days a week, three hours a day. He also taught a senior 55+ driving course for AARP. While Sam was very social and active in the community, his most treasured time was spent with his family. Sam had a life well lived. He was a generous and kind hearted person who touched so many. Sam is survived by his nieces whom he considered his "kid sisters" Frances Izzi and her husband John of Waterbury, Carol Calabrese and her husband William of Waterbury, and Linda Pentino and her husband Jim of Prospect as well as several generations of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. In addition to his parents, Sam was predeceased by his brothers, Gennaro "Jerry" D'Ambrosi, Anthony "Tony" D'Ambrosi; his sisters, Rose Samela, Angelina Arcaro, Viola Arnone, Lucy Leach, and many nieces, nephews, including his "kid sister" Mary Vagnini. Sam's funeral will be held on Thursday October 2, 2025 at 10:00am from Maiorano Funeral Home, 95 Willow St., Waterbury to Our Lady of Lourdes Church for a Mass with full military honors at 11:00am. Family and friends may visit with Sam's family on Wednesday evening from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions in Sam's name may be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 309 S. Main St., Waterbury, CT 06702. For more information, to sign the online guestbook or to leave online condolences for the family, please visit www.maioranofuneralhome.com.