Samuel "Sam" Joseph Ballerini

Born on April 4, 1931, in Brattleboro, VT., Sam grew up in Dorchester, MA. The son of Italian immigrants, he spent his youth working in his father’s corner grocery store, an experience that instilled in him a lifelong work ethic. He attended English High School in Boston before earning his Bachelor of Science in Business from Boston College in 1952 and received his MBA from Boston University in 1953. Needless to say, he was a devoted fan of all Boston sports.

It was during his college years that Sam met Paula at the Lollipop Ball, where Paula was crowned queen. The two went on to share 64 years of marriage, building a lifetime of memories together. Sam dedicated much of his professional career to Sigma Instruments in Braintree, MA, where he served as Vice President of Sales and Manufacturing. While at Sigma he traveled extensively throughout Europe, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Japan.

Sam was deeply involved in his local community. A longtime resident of Norwell, MA, he served as president of the Norwell Cole School PTA from 1962 to 1963, as a member of the Advisory Board from 1964 to 1969, and as vice president of the Citizens Scholarship Fund in 1969. He also served on the Norwell School Committee from 1969 to 1978. Sam was proud of his contributions during those years, especially his role in helping make the construction of the current Norwell High School possible—a lasting legacy for generations of local students, including his own children.

He was equally devoted to his home and yard, meticulously caring for his lawn—a trait that became a running affectionate joke among his family, who watched him rake up every leaf almost the moment it touched the ground. He had a green thumb, growing vegetables, fruit and flowers by the backyard pool, and jarred his own concord grape jelly, which he named “Paula’s Passion” after his wife.

Sam was also an enthusiastic sailor. For years, he kept a Cape Dory sailboat in Scituate Harbor. What he may have lacked in technical skills, he made up for in determination. Neighboring boat owners knew to keep a watchful eye whenever Sam was navigating back into his slip.

Above all, his greatest joy came from the family traditions he helped establish and protect. For nearly 60 years, the annual family vacation to Lake Waukewan in Meredith, NH, served as the ultimate gathering ground. It was there, surrounded by the noise, laughter, and generations of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren that Sam was happiest.

Sam was predeceased by his beloved wife, Paula; his sister, Madeline; and his brother, Joseph.

He is survived by his five children: Paula Parisi and her husband Glen of Newfields, NH; Carol Buress of Merrimack, NH; Peter Ballerini and his wife Kerry of Kingston, MA; Janet Squiers of Dayton, OH; and Steve Ballerini and his husband Colin of San Francisco, CA. He leaves behind thirteen wonderful grandchildren: Amy, Heather, Nicole, Katelyn, Adam, Jared, Chris, Jeff, Kevin, Galen, Sam, Ian, and Quinn; and ten great-grandchildren: Bridget, Jack, Thomas, Julian, Karina, Emily, Hailey, Jacob, Sophie and Maddy.

Visiting hours will be held at the Sullivan Funeral Home, 551 Washington St., Rte. 53, Hanover, on Friday July 24th 10:30am - 12:30pm. A Funeral Home Service will take place at 12:30pm, followed by grave side burial at the Washington Street Cemetery in Norwell. Friends and family are invited to a luncheon at 1:30pm at Trattoria San Pietro in Norwell.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Sam's memory may be made to the Norwell Education Foundation, which is a non-profit organization supporting educational activities and programs for all students in the Norwell Public Schools.