Samuel J. Velasquez

Samuel 'Sammy' Joseph Velasquez, son of Gaudencia and Mariano Velasquez, was born December 27, 1954 in Manila, Philippines. On Saturday, September 10, 2011, Sammy was suddenly called by the Lord and sadly taken away from us at the age of 56.

He came into the States in 1956. In 1962, he resided in Seattle, WA. He was exceedingly book smart, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1972. From here, he furthered his education achieving three different degrees. In May of 1974, he obtained his first degree in Business Administration at North Seattle Community College. A year later (May 1975), he achieved a degree in Art at Seattle Central Community College. Two years later he attended the University of Washington, where he graduated with a third major in Pre-Dental in June of 1977. Sammy has been a hardworking employee for Seattle Public Utilities for many years. During his days off, he made sure to find the time to golf and try his luck at the casino.

Sammy was a brother, uncle, great uncle, godfather and friend to many. He is survived by five of his eight siblings: Marita, Joey, Pat, Danny, and Cookie; Aida and Sally preceded him in death. His extended family consists of, in-laws: Arnie Figueroa, Greg Beltran, Buddy del Fierro, Shawn Patrick, Raymond Haydel & Mary Bartolo. An Uncle to: Michael Francis, Tammy Francis, Juan del Fierro, Dalainna Meun, Ricardo del Fierro, Ryan del Fierro, Nonoy Figueroa, Jimmy Beltran, Jojo Beltran, Mimi Hanson, Diana Searle, Janelle Velasquez, Joetta Velasquez, & Paul Chapman. A Great Uncle to: Anthony Oetjens, Mikaela del Fierro, Desmond Alvarez-del Fierro, Lil Ricardo del Fierro, Nia Meun, Matthew Francis, Alex Searle, Marcus Beltran, Daisy Hanson, Angel Beltran, & Nikko Beltran. He was also the Godfather of Marisol Figueroa and Mario del Fierro.

He was a man of few words, a man who has attained so much throughout life, a man to himself, a man with incredible family and friends that loved him, a man that was taken too soon, a humble man named Sammy, who is and will be utterly missed.