Samuel L. Delsandro

Struthers - Samuel L. Delsandro, 91, died late Friday evening, January 11, 2019 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Boardman.

Samuel was born January 26, 1927 in Struthers, a son of the late James and Gemma Tirabassi Delsandro.

At the age of 18, Sam enlisted in the United States Army, serving with the 78th Fighter Squadron, 15th Fighter Group as a radio mechanic. He was honorably discharged in November of 1946, receiving the World War II Victory Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal.

Returning to Struthers after the war, Mr. Delsandro worked as a fireman engineer for the Struthers Fire Department. He retired from the department in 1982 after 29 years of service. He also worked part-time for Bargain Port in maintenance for many years.

He was a member of Christ Our Savior Parish at St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church in Struthers, where he served as a former treasurer. Active in the community, Sam was also a member of the Struthers V.F.W. Post 7538, former member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles #213, and served on the Struthers Veteran War Memorial Committee. In his free time, he enjoyed doing handyman work for family and friends, yard work, gardening, and meeting up with friends at Arby's for coffee.

His wife, the former Bettie J. Punio, whom he married October 29, 1955, preceded him in death on November 25, 2013. He is survived by two daughters, Linda Delsandro of Struthers and Sandra Delsandro of Boardman; two sisters, Mary Abate of Centerville and Antoinette Leardi of Ocala, Fl; brother, John Delsander of Boardman; and special friends and neighbors, the Elia Family, especially A.J. and Emma, who called him "Papa Sam."

In addition to his parents and wife, Sam was preceded in death by brother, Pete D'Alsandro; and two sisters, Angeline DiRienzo and Edith Marchetti.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at the Davidson-Becker Funeral Home, 11 Spring St., Struthers, where family and friends will be received on Wednesday from 10-11:15 a.m., prior to the service. Entombment will be at the Lake Park Cemetery.

The family would like express their appreciation and thank Sam's friend, Carl, for his faithful hospital visits which meant so much to their dad.

Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.