Samuel "Sam" Joseph Dalfonzo

Samuel (Sam),102, died peacefully in his sleep in his independent living apartment at Charlestown Retirement Community in Catonsville, Maryland. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland to Antonino and Giavannina Dalfonzo who came to America from Cefalu, Italy in 1909. He is predeceased by his parents and his loving wife, Frances Lee Schmidt Dalfonzo (5/23/27- 3/6/11), siblings (spouses): Vincent Dalfonzo (Eleanor), Josephine Keyes (Carroll), Anita Marcellino (Frank), Jenny Hoppa (Francis), Mary Schwartz (Raymond), and Harry Dalfonzo. Also predeceased by Brothers in Law (wife) James Schmidt and William Smith (Virginia)and Sisters-in-Law (husband) Dolores Smith Dailey (Charles) and Edith Smith Rider (Norman).

He is survived by his children and spouses/partners, and one grandchild: Donna Dalfonzo Wiggs (Davey Wiggs deceased), Valarie Dalfonzo (John Day) and Dean Dalfonzo (Sara Rutkowski) and their son, Samuel Alan Miles Dalfonzo. He is also survived by his Sister-in-Law Jean Schmidt (James deceased).

Sam was a WWII veteran and served as a Soldier and Corporal in Company B, 334th infantry, “The Railsplitters”, for more than 2 years. He was a Prisoner of War for six months in Teterow, Germany. The experience would shape his life. When the war ended in 1945 and the Germans unlocked the enclosures and abandoned their posts, he and his fellow prisoners were able to walk out of the camp to safety.

Upon return from overseas, Sam met his future wife, Fran, through friends. Sam was smitten. They married in 1946, and throughout the next 65 years he remained a devoted husband. He would always say that she was the only one for him.

Sam proudly attended Poly High School in Baltimore and Virginia Polytechnic College (now Virginia Tech University) and worked for over 40 years as a Power Director for the Pennsylvania Railroad (Amtrak) where he managed the electricity to trains traveling the eastern U.S. After retiring, he worked part-time at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), where Fran also worked, and they both bowled in the UMBC leagues. He was a regular attendee at St. Mark Catholic church and later at the Charlestown “Our Lady of the Angels” church during his long Catonsville residency.

He and Fran loved to travel together. They visited Hawaii numerous times, went to Bermuda & California, and took a memorable trip to his ancestral town of Cefalu, Sicily. They also traveled to Colorado, Arizona, Virginia and New York to visit family. As they raised their children, they spent summer weekends with extended family at “Tagwei”, a beloved cabin on the shore of the Potomac River in Southern Maryland, where they would play Pinnocle tournaments and catch Maryland Blue crabs. They spent time in Fenwick Island, Delaware as well as Ocean City, Maryland where Sam was a member of the Elks club. He was also a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW), and the Sons of Italy where he/Fran enjoyed the camaraderie of fellow members, dining, watching football, and playing bocce ball or cards.

Over the years, one of Sam’s great joys was spending time with his nieces, nephews, and their children. In 2010, when he was 88, he and Fran were thrilled when their grandson (and his namesake), Sam, was born. His wife passed four months later. After her death, his grandson was a great joy in his life. Sam actively followed his grandson’s baseball in real time on sports apps on his phone.

Sam moved to Charlestown Retirement Community in 2011 where he made many friends playing darts and bocce ball, fixing watches for residents, and having dinner with neighbors. He was the “fix-it” man for many people. Sam was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching baseball, football, and basketball. He supported the Orioles, Ravens and Denver teams as well. He loved the company of neighbors who stopped by to watch sports while sipping Grand Marnier as well as the regular visits and support from his two daughters who lived nearby.

Sam will be remembered for his dry wit, selflessness, and kind smile. He is deeply missed by family and friends. No services are planned at this time. A Catholic mass at Charlestown will be dedicated in his honor. He will be interred at the National Cemetery on Frederick Road in Catonsville.