SAMMY MY BRO BRO,
I KNOW YOU ARE RESTING IN PEACE, BUT STILL HARD TO BELIEVE AND EXCEPT YOU HAD TO LEAVE US SO SOON . AND SO SAD I COULDNT ALWAYS BE THERE IN CALI TO VISIT YOU MORE OFTEN. BUT I WILL ALWAYS HOLD VERY CLOSE TO MY HEART, THE LAST DAYS WITH YOU AT THE HOSPITAL BEFORE YOUR SURGERIES.I WILL ALWAYS THANK GOD HE MADE SURE WE HAD OUR LAST MOMENTS TOGETHER TO TALK, SHARE OUR CONCERNS AND FEELINGS AS ONE AND FAMILY.  AND I AM SO GREATFUL TO HAVE HEARD AND SEEN YOUR SMILE AND LAUGHTER AND MOSTLY OUR LAST TIGHT BROTHER AND SISTER LOVING EMBRACE. OH HOW I MISS YOUR UNIQUE VOICE AND YOU HOLDING MY HAND FOR THE LAST TIME AND TELLING ME YOU LOVED ME , AS I WILL ALWAYS LOVE AND FOREVER MISS YOU MY DEAREST BRO BRO SAM THE SHAM. I KNOW YOU ARE AT PEACE WITH MOM, DAD AND REST OF THE FAMILY IN THE HEAVENS, AND THAT KEEPS ME HAPPY.  STILL ALWAYS MISSING YOU .
WILL ALWAYS HOLD YOU CLOSE IN MY HEART AND GREAT FAMILY MEMORIES. THE LORD IS ALWAYS WITH YOU.   SENDING WARMLY HUGS YOUR LITTLE SIS , NEGRA

I have many fond memories of my daddy… He always called me his “Queen” or “The Gords”, and said I would always be his baby girl no matter how old I got. I am happy to say that is true. My dad loved me so much and there wasn't anyone that he would not let know that. He told me that he remembered the exact moment he truly fell in love with me. He would often tell the same story to anyone that would listen… he said that I was sick in the hospital and I was in the back of a room that they had me in by myself and I spotted him from behind the glass from a good distance away, and started crying and calling out “Daddy”… he said at that moment his heart melted. I used to get embarrassed hearing the story but what I wouldn't do to hear him tell it just once more. 
My dad was a wonderful man with a huge heart, I am so proud to be his daughter. I am sure there is not a person family or friend that he has not done something for at some point in their life. My dad was the kind of man to give you his last dollar and the shirt off of his back just to make sure that you were taken care of, without hesitation. If you needed someone to talk to he would listen and give you the best advice possible if you needed it… he was truly very wise. I used to be blown away by some of the things he would tell me, and teach me about life's lessons. Only a person that has truly lived can share such wisdom. My mom would say that he taught her a lot as well, and was there to listen to her.  My mom and dad had an incredible friendship… They were no longer together and hadn't been for many years but they had a beautiful bond. They would speak often, and there wasn't anything that they wouldn't do for each other. Miguel who is my mom's boyfriend now loved him, and he loved Miguel… they had a really good friendship… they would all hang out together, and just enjoy each others company on many occasions.
Most of my memories I will keep locked in my heart to hold onto forever, but I will share from the more recent months. When my dad first fell ill I stayed with him every day and every night for nearly a month, with the exception of one. I was so fearful I was going to lose him at that point and I just began talking and talking to him. My mom suggested that I start writing a journal and write down things he would tell me, moments that I knew I did not want to forget. During this time I spent with him I was able to learn much more about this man that I loved so much. I learned his likes and dislikes, I learned more about his outlook on life and what he wanted for me to achieve. He made me promise I would become a nurse during the time I was taking care of him… he said I had it in me and it came natural. I plan to keep that promise. I laughed with him, and I cried with him and just wanted to take in every moment that I could. 
The strength of my father was unreal and unlike anything I have ever seen in my life. He battled cancer for 7 months and fought extremely hard. He defied countless odds and surprised us all time and time again. I am so blessed and cannot thank God enough for allowing me to be there in his final moments… it was a moment I shared with my mom Sylvia, my brother Samuel Jr., and sisters Norine and Lorraine. We were able to hold his hand and comfort him and tell him how much we loved him and that we would not leave his side. Not many people have an opportunity like that and I will be eternally thankful.
There are a few things directly from my journal that I would like to share with you that my father himself said to me. I found them beautiful…
“Everything going on here is for a reason. It's not about saving me it's so everybody learns… It's never too late to say I'm sorry. People need to learn from this.”
-Samuel B. Cuellar
He said this because he had a great sense about things… he felt for people and also knew what he was facing. He also said to me…
“If he (Jesus) died for me, then why can't I die for him? I don't have too much to be scared of.”
-Samuel B. Cuellar
He was an incredibly brave person. I will forever miss my “Little Daddy” something I called him for many years, being that he was shorter than me. I will miss his phone calls to check up on me, I will miss taking him food I made. I will miss his humor and his laugh, his hugs, and his kisses on my hand and cheek every time he saw me. One of my dearest memories of my dad is of him dancing, and his love for music… I will miss the many occasions that we danced together… Every family party, my first communion party, my sweet sixteen, and even just at home… we danced and danced… even in the hospital on one occasion my mom and sister Norine were in the room with me and my dad and he started singing “Kansas City”, we all joined in singing with him, he laughed and smiled, tapped his foot and snapped his fingers… he was living in the moment, and it was beautiful. He would even have dreams of him dancing with his mother that passed when he was very young. 

For this reason I dedicated DANCE WITH MY FATHER AGAIN by Luther Vandross to my daddy the day of services... my little cousin Arthur Lechuga sang with all of his God given talent reaching out to my dad and the love that came from him was tremendous... a moment so beautiful and well executed. 

My dearest Daddy you are forever on my mind and your blood in my veins warms my heart knowing that I have a piece of you within me for the rest of my days. You are the greatest man that I have ever known. I love you so much. God Bless your soul. See you when my time comes!

Dear Heavenly Father, 

Thank you for allowing me to have a brother like Sammy. Sammy will always be loved and  missed. You are home now Sammy and that is what gives me the best peace ever! Love, Sister Angie & Danny Guillen, of Redlands, CA

MY EVER LOVING BROTHER SAM , IT SADDENS ME THAT YOU LEFT US SO SOON, BUT TO KNOW YOU ARE NO LONGER IN PAIN GIVES ME MUCH JOY AND SO HAPPY THAT NOW YOU ARE IN THE HEAVENS WITH MOM AND DAD AND THE REST OF OUR FAMILY, AWAITING YOUR ARRIVAL WITH OPEN ARMS. NO MATTER WHERE YOU RE AT YOU WILL ALWAYS BE SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE WHO LOVE AND MISS YOU TREMONDOUSLY. MY MEMORIES OF YOU WILL LIVE FOREVER. REST IN PEACE MY BEAUTIFUL GOOD HEARTED BROTHER OF MINE, SAMMY.  UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN . DONT FORGET TO PLAY THE MARACAS FOR ALL THE HEAVENLY ANGELS ABOVE. MY HEART AND PRAYERS WILL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU .   LOVE U
YOUR LITTLTE SIS
NEGRA

My dearest Uncle Sam. Words can't explain how much you will be missed. I will always be greatful for all the things you've done for my family. All the good times and memories that started on 14th st. At least that's how far back I can go. And of coarse the ones on Bunker Hill I will cherish for ever. I love you and I hope your in Heaven doing the Combination Plate for all of our family and friends that are there with you. Every time I see or smell Old Spice you pop in my head and now when I smell it I know your around. I will miss you dearly Uncle Sam love always your Favorite Sangie.

Sammy, I am sad  that you had to leave us, but I am so grateful that you are not suffering anymore. I am so sorry that you were in pain and suffered so. No more pain or suffering , just a joyful heart and soul now. Guero and I had so many good times with you. I could say remember when, but that could go on forever.  You were always helping someone. You always did a perfect job, no matter what your were doing. You said what you meant and meant what you said, not always the popular thing to do , but it is what it is. You were a GREAT  Brother-in -Law to me, always concerned. I was not blessed with a brother , so I choose you, as my brother. Your brother Guero, Sax as you call him, is lost without you, but I will stand by his side. We will cry together, we will cherish the memories, we will laugh together and we will always love you. I laugh when I remember your Old Spice, your comb and your shades, never went anywhere without them, LOL. Marina-Rae is so sad too. She listens to your music and sings and cries and laughs and cries some more. We feel better knowing that you can enjoy your days now, with your Mama, Papa and the rest of your family. I am sure they were waiting for you with open arms. I will forever cherish the Palm Tree you brought me. When I was so sick you  planted the Queen Palm in my front yard, just for me. You named it the "Tree of Life". I only wish that it had helped your body to heal too. I know you have a New Life now with no more problems or worries or pain I promised you a tree too, and it will be in our yard soon.  We just have to find the right one. I think we may name it "Sammy's Shades". We will  sit there and have a "cold one" with the music and maracas and think about all the fun we had together. We love you and miss you "Sam Bone". Until we meet again, our brother. Love You, Bonnie, Sax and  Spider

OBITUARY

Samuel Briones Cuellar

February 27, 1947 – June 13, 2013

Mt. View Mortuary & Cemetery

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