Samuel Robert Vranizan

December 26, 1987 – May 19, 2025

It is with profound sadness that Ed and Lori Vranizan share the heartbreaking loss of their son, Sam Vranizan. Sam passed away unexpectedly in his sleep on the morning of Monday, May 19, 2025.

Born at Good Samaritan Hospital and raised in N.E. Portland, Sam was a fifth generation Portlander. Due to complications in his birth Sam was confined to a wheelchair with cerebral palsy, a burden he carried bravely for 37 years with an indefatigable enthusiasm for life.

Sam’s educational journey reflected his resilience and joyful spirit. He attended the Holladay Center for special needs children in the Mt. Tabor neighborhood, Laurelhurst Grade School, Mt. Tabor Middle School, and graduated from Grant High School in 2006. At Grant, he was a member of the gospel choir, a letterman on the wrestling team, and was honored as the team’s “Most Inspirational.” He remained a devoted Grant athletics fan, often cheering on the soccer and baseball teams and supporting the coaches.

Sam loved time with family and friends, especially his nieces and nephew. He enjoyed sports of all kinds—skiing, water sports, tennis, soccer, and baseball—and treasured camping trips and family gatherings. He was a member of the Madeleine Church parish and sang in the choir. Sam was a proud Legacy member of the Irvington Club, where he was known for his enthusiastic participation in every club activity. The Irvington community embraced Sam, and he held a special place in the hearts of all who knew him.

He enthusiastically listened to readers as a volunteer at SMART (Start Making A Reader Today) and was a volunteer ambassador at the Oregon Zoo. A passionate advocate for inclusive communication, Sam was a past president of BCTAC (Building Communities Through Augmentative Communication), a West Coast network supporting users of augmentative communication.

In 2022, Sam became one of the first residents of the Belong Art Community, a pioneering independent living environment for artists with disabilities. He found great joy and independence among his peers there.

Sam is survived by his loving parents, Ed and Lori Vranizan; his brother Nick, sister-in-law Lindsay, and their children Nico and Simone; and his sister Annie, brother-in-law Jason Wilkins, and niece Ellie. He is dearly missed by the community he amassed around him and will be forever remembered for his warmth, courage, and enduring spirit.

Funeral Mass for Sam will be held at The Madeleine Church on Friday, May 30th at 10:00 a.m.

Memorial to follow at 4:00pm at the Melody Ballroom

All are welcome.

In remembrance of Sam, donations may be made to:

Belong Art Community – belongartcommunity.org

Oregon Adaptive Sports – oregonadaptivesports.org