Submitted by Kathy Cerone class of 1963 on 03/Feb/2024
173.62.1.27
Samuel G. Cerone, Jr. passed away on February 2, 2024, in
his home, surrounded by his devoted family. He was 80.
Born January 13, 1944, Sam was the son of the late Samuel G.
Cerone, Sr. and Laura Santoro Cerone, and was pre-deceased
by his sister, Shirley Cerone Riley and her husband, Tom,
and brother, Anthony Cerone. He was also pre-deceased
by his mother-in-law, Grace Schirmer, and brother-in-law,
Albert DeLessio. He is survived by his loving wife, Kathryn
P. Minckler Cerone; his daughter, Laura; his son, Sam, and
daughter-in-law, Annie; his son, Joe, and daughter-in-law,
Angela; his son James, and daughter-in-law, Cindy; his
grandchildren: Madeleine, Sam, Joseph, Christopher, and
Gianna; his sister-in-law, Mary DeLessio; his sister- and
brother-in-law, Susan and Aldo Strano; and several nieces,
nephews, and cousins. He also leaves behind two dear
friends, who were as close as brothers to him: Frank
Ceriello and Joe Crisci. Sam was a lifelong resident of
Newburgh, NY. He graduated from Newburgh Free Academy
in 1962, and went on to achieve his Associate’s Degree at
Dutchess County Community College. He worked for IBM
at the East Fishkill plant until his retirement in
1997. Upon retiring, Sam pursued his lifelong dream of
running a restaurant: he opened Sammy C’s in the Town of
Newburgh. After retiring from that pursuit in 2008, he
continued to keep busy by working as a school bus driver.
Sam was an avid sportsman. He hunted, fished, and
played golf throughout his lifetime. He was a member
of Bethlehem Rod and Gun Club. He was also an active
member of his community: following his father’s passing, Sam
was appointed to the Newburgh City Council, and ran for
another term to carry on his father’s vision. Sam was
an assistant coach for his sons’ Little League team.
He volunteered his culinary talent for school functions when
his children attended St Joseph’s Elementary School in New
Windsor. He was a member of the Elks Lodge. Sam
also enjoyed playing cards at The Pastime Club; throwing
darts, bowling, and playing softball in different leagues;
and he frequently could be found at OTB, just making a quick
bet. Gruff on the exterior, Sam was generous and
compassionate in quiet but meaningful ways. If he said
he’d do it for you, it got done - and that’s that. He
leaves behind several lifelong friends who can attest to his
kindness, his reliability, his riotous sense of humor, and
his love of the good things in life – good food, good
friends, good fun. His life could be summed up with
the motto: Live, laugh, and love. Most of all, Sam loved his
family. He was married to Kathy for 58 years, his high
school sweetheart and the love of his life. He was
proud of his kids, enjoyed his time with his grandchildren,
and was known to slip food to his grand-pup, Lyla. He
leaves us all a great example of how to live and how to
love. The Cerone family would like to thank all the medical
professionals who cared for Sam during his long illness.
Visiting hours will be on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at
Brooks Funeral Home, from 3 pm to 7 pm. A
funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis Church in Newburgh
on February 9, 2024, at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, the
Cerone family encourages well-wishers to make a donation to
Hudson Valley Hospice (hvhospice.org) in Sam’s memory.
And when you find yourself thinking of Sam, go put $2 on
1-1-3, boxed. You never know - you might get lucky. -
January 13, 1944 ~ February 2, 2024
Samuel G. Cerone, Jr. passed away on February 2, 2024, in
his home, surrounded by his devoted family. He was 80.
Born January 13, 1944, Sam was the son of the late Samuel G.
Cerone, Sr. and Laura Santoro Cerone, and was pre-deceased
by his sister, Shirley Cerone Riley and her husband, Tom,
and brother, Anthony Cerone. He was also pre-deceased
by his mother-in-law, Grace Schirmer, and brother-in-law,
Albert DeLessio. He is survived by his loving wife, Kathryn
P. Minckler Cerone; his daughter, Laura; his son, Sam, and
daughter-in-law, Annie; his son, Joe, and daughter-in-law,
Angela; his son James, and daughter-in-law, Cindy; his
grandchildren: Madeleine, Sam, Joseph, Christopher, and
Gianna; his sister-in-law, Mary DeLessio; his sister- and
brother-in-law, Susan and Aldo Strano; and several nieces,
nephews, and cousins. He also leaves behind two dear
friends, who were as close as brothers to him: Frank
Ceriello and Joe Crisci. Sam was a lifelong resident of
Newburgh, NY. He graduated from Newburgh Free Academy
in 1962, and went on to achieve his Associate’s Degree at
Dutchess County Community College. He worked for IBM
at the East Fishkill plant until his retirement in
1997. Upon retiring, Sam pursued his lifelong dream of
running a restaurant: he opened Sammy C’s in the Town of
Newburgh. After retiring from that pursuit in 2008, he
continued to keep busy by working as a school bus driver.
Sam was an avid sportsman. He hunted, fished, and
played golf throughout his lifetime. He was a member
of Bethlehem Rod and Gun Club. He was also an active
member of his community: following his father’s passing, Sam
was appointed to the Newburgh City Council, and ran for
another term to carry on his father’s vision. Sam was
an assistant coach for his sons’ Little League team.
He volunteered his culinary talent for school functions when
his children attended St Joseph’s Elementary School in New
Windsor. He was a member of the Elks Lodge. Sam
also enjoyed playing cards at The Pastime Club; throwing
darts, bowling, and playing softball in different leagues;
and he frequently could be found at OTB, just making a quick
bet. Gruff on the exterior, Sam was generous and
compassionate in quiet but meaningful ways. If he said
he’d do it for you, it got done - and that’s that. He
leaves behind several lifelong friends who can attest to his
kindness, his reliability, his riotous sense of humor, and
his love of the good things in life – good food, good
friends, good fun. His life could be summed up with
the motto: Live, laugh, and love. Most of all, Sam loved his
family. He was married to Kathy for 58 years, his high
school sweetheart and the love of his life. He was
proud of his kids, enjoyed his time with his grandchildren,
and was known to slip food to his grand-pup, Lyla. He
leaves us all a great example of how to live and how to
love. The Cerone family would like to thank all the medical
professionals who cared for Sam during his long illness.