Obituary of Sam Albert Ridino

Sam A. Ridino, age 91, passed away quietly at his home in Aptos at 11:15 PM on July 28th. His loving wife of 65 years, Frances, predeceased him in 2011. Sam is survived by his 5 children: his sons Sam Jr., Robert, Ron, and Ken, and daughter Nancy; along with 9 grandchildren (Sam III, Lisa, Tanya, Jody, James, Benjamin, Jennifer, Serena, and Michael) and 9 great-grandchildren (Dominic, Milana, Isaiah, Francesca, Lily, Bryce, Greyson, Bohdi, and Jamison - and one more on the way). His brother Joe Ridino of San Carlos, sister Constance Pratt of Aptos, brother-in-law Albert Garziano of Sun Lakes, Arizona and sister-in-law Rita Ridino of Paso Robles also survive him. Sam's additional brothers Basil, Albert, and Richard pre-deceased him. Sam was born April 18,1925 to Ignazio and Carmela Ridino in Rochester, New York. In the spring of 1921, Sam's parents immigrated to the United States from Sicily with Sam's eldest brother, then 3-month old Basilo (Basil) in their arms. Sam's father, a humble tailor by trade and both parents speaking only their native language, surely must have been terrified of what lay ahead for them. Like thousands of immigrants who entered America, their first steps were on Ellis Island. Four years later, on April 18th, 1925, Sam was born. He began his life there, at 83 Hollister Street¸ with his parents and two older brothers (brother Joe was born two years earlier). Eventually, his family would grow to 5 siblings (brothers Basil, Joe, Albert, and Richard, and their only sister Connie - everyone called her Junie). A proud veteran of World War II, Sam served his country from 1942 through 1945, and was attached to the 169th Engineer combat battalion of the Fifth Army, participating in three major campaigns including the Po Valley offensive in April 1945. Shortly before the war broke out, then 17 year-old Sammy was introduced to his loving wife of 65 years, Frances Loretta Garziano, daughter of Leo and Grace. This match made in heaven was an introduction of them by Sam's Uncle Gilbert, who had also immigrated from Sicily but found his way to Brooklyn instead where by chance he befriended Leo, also from the same part of the Old Country. As tradition was in those days, the two match-makers set up the two. It was love at first sight! The first day they met, Sam (quite the confident flirt) told Frances, "I am going to marry you!" The world at war delayed that marriage for a few years as, like so many young men of his generation, Sam volunteered to do his part when our country entered the war. His older brothers Basil and Joe, already of age, had already enlisted. Sam, not yet 18, had to get a written letter of approval from his parents to join his brothers. What does it say about love for America that these immigrants, who could barely speak English, volunteered their young son to go to war? Eventually Sam would be stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey for basic training and ultimately be deployed to the European theater of the war in the fall of 1942. His thoughts though were about Frances almost all the time. During his army training, Sam heard that Frances had been hospitalized with spinal meningitis. Refused for a leave of absence (because only "family members" were allowed such), Sam went AWOL instead, determined to be by the side of his new love. Thankfully Frances recovered and, upon Sam's return to base, accepted his punishment like a man by digging a 3-foot foxhole with a SPOON! He always loved to tell that story. In late 1942, Sam got his call-up notice and was off to war. Thus began a 3-year continuing courtship via the military's "V-mail' system of overseas correspondence; almost daily love letters between the two of them. Surely they were one of many young couples from this greatest of all generations to fall deeply in love this way. During the war Frances worked in her parents Brooklyn flower shop on New Utrecht Avenue, making plans for her wedding day as soon as Sam might return home. When victory in Europe was announced in May of 1945, Sam of course dreamed of returning home. Instead, weeks later, his outfit received orders that they were soon heading to the Japanese theater. By early August Sam found himself on a carrier ship to Japan instead of home. While in route, news was received worldwide of the surrender by Japan. The war was over; their ship turned around to head home and to reunite Sam to his Frances. Within weeks of his return, Sam and Frances were married at Saint Finbar church in Brooklyn New York on September 9th 1945 and made their first home together in a Brooklyn Brownstone. They started their long life together, working at Leo and Grace's florist shop. After the birth of their first son, Sam Jr, they moved back to Rochester where all of Sam's family lived. With the skills they both learned in Brooklyn, they opened their own florist shop in Rochester, the couple's first run at business together. It would be only the first time they tried, but ultimately it did not succeed. With Sam's younger brother Albert, they would try other ventures including Snow White, Sam's first attempt at being a restaurateur. Later in life, Sam would say that they were the ones who really had the first soft ice cream cones! By 1952, Sam and Fran had their second son, Bob. Now, another mouth to feed! Two years later, still struggling to succeed, and very little still to his name but a road-worthy old Packard, Sam drove his young family across the country to California, seeking the dream life so many of his generation thought was out there. After all, this was America! Sam and Frances walked side-by-side together, nearly every day of their lives, as they built their beautiful family, eventually having 3 more children, Nancy, Ron, and Ken, all born in different cities as Sam moved his growing family, always searching for a better way to earn a living. Along the way, he and his "HON" (their loving nickname for each other) worked tediously in a multitude of business ventures that Sam engaged upon, always with the sole purpose of providing for that family. When their children were young, Frances would hold down the fort while Sam was the classic provider. When their children grew, Frances was still by Sam's side almost daily, supporting anything he ever wanted to do, going wherever he wanted to go. A consummate salesman, Sam spent his early days working for the Singer Sewing Machine Company. From salesman to manager to district supervisor, he was always the "go-to guy" by those below and above him. Above everything else, Sam was respected by all he worked with. Ultimately the very poor compensation afforded him for his hard work in those days found him searching for better ways to provide for his growing family. At 40 years of age and, by then, 5 children to care for, there just had to be a better road to take. He left the Singer Company (and his $115 per week paycheck!) and opened his own business. From that day on, he never worked for another boss for the rest of his life! Some of Sam's most cherished years were those he had in Glendale, California (from 1965 to the early '80's). With his children coming of age and finally totally self-employed, Sam was on Cloud 9! It was during these years, while he built his retail business ventures, that he began his interest in real estate investing. The decade of the '70's brought both challenge and opportunity for those who had a combination of vision, drive, and love for business (no matter what venue). Sam had them all. Even through the many cycles of ups and downs, Sam always found a way to move forward. By 1980, he had achieved well-earned personal success and led his family north, to Santa Cruz County. There, in Aptos, he found the place he and Frances loved so much, for what would become the last period of their lives, where they would find some of their best friends and create more everlasting memories. By the mid-eighties, Sam had expanded his early interest in real estate. Along with his son Bob, he established S.A.R. ENTERPRISES, which over the next three decades would grow to a well-respected real estate investment firm that owns and manages investment properties in 10 states. The company remains named after him in his honor. Sam retired from daily active involvement in his work in the mid-nineties but maintained his love and passion for the work he loved and the family he cherished for the rest of his life. A Funeral Mass will be held at Resurrection Catholic Community, 7600 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA on THURSDAY, AUGUST 11th at 10:30 AM. A gathering to celebrate his life and share memories will be held thereafter at Markey Hall, directly adjacent to the church. The evening before, on Wednesday August 10th, visitation for family and friends will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Santa Cruz Memorial Park - 1927 Ocean Street Ext, Santa Cruz. An entombment service, including a short military honor, will also be held at SC Memorial Park for friends and family who may wish to attend, at 3:00 PM on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to feel free to make a donation to Hospice of Santa Cruz County via regular mail at: 940 Disc Drive, Scotts Valley, CA 95066 or an on-line donation at www.hospicesantacruz.org