Our beloved father, Sam Lunetta, passed away on 11/28/24 at the age of 95 in his Naples, Florida home surrounded by family.  He was a devoted husband to our mother and surviving wife, Bea.  The adoring couple were married for 72 years. They were acquaintances for four years prior to seriously dating. A year later they were married.

Together they created an extraordinary legacy – seven children within the next nine years. Ross Lunetta (Myriam), Michele Gambino (James), Marise O’Connell, Ron Lunetta (Annette), Greg Lunetta, Mark Lunetta (Mary) and Sam Lunetta, Jr.  Dad was a good provider, listener, caring and loving family man.  He only knew how to be kind and gentle.  We felt his love, his calm demeanor and always knew he was there for us.  Only positive caring words from him. Consequently, we highly respected him.  Mom still says they were a match made in heaven. They truly stayed in love all those years and that never wavered.

Dad, a producer of sorts, took movies of his wedding, honeymoon and all of his kids in the 50’s. He provided us with a backyard pool and enjoyed swimming with us. He took flying lessons with our Uncle Jim. He took us to English Mountain in Tennessee every year for a vacation.  Dad was an excellent competitive league bowler. He enjoyed dancing with us at weddings mostly because Mom didn’t.

His nine grandchildren – Krystn, Maureen, Nathan, Jessica, Sarah, Michael, Nina, Lexy and Mark, Jr., were beautiful gifts to him. Those kids got to grow up with him and know how special he was.  One special memory was playing Pictionary with him.  We never laughed so hard – even Dad loved his hilarious drawings.

He’s also survived by 19 great grandchildren.  They called him Great Papa.  He would walk and sing to them the song “Swinging on the Grapevine Swing” when they were babies.

Dad grew up in Pittston, Pennsylvania before he came to Michigan with his family when he was 15.  His father came from Caltanisseta, Sicily and settled in Pittston within an Italian community. Dad’s mother’s family was from Naples, Italy and she was born in Pittston. Dad had fond memories of his mother’s delicious Italian meals.  He was the youngest of seven siblings.  His 3 older sisters spoiled him.  In his younger years, he had a horse and enjoyed riding him. Dad loved watching football and played that sport in high school. All 5 of his son’s played throughout their school years. Mom and Dad attended all their games and worked the concessions stand. They made life-long friends with the other player’s parents.

Dad was an entrepreneur opening the first Driving School in Michigan – “Easy Method Driving Training School”.  We always had a fleet of vehicles equipped with two steering wheels, two gas pedals and two brakes.

After growing out of the 800 square foot, 3 bedroom, 1 bath home in Livonia, Dad settled the 9 of us in Bloomfield Hills, MI. We belonged to the Walnut Lake Community where we all spent a lot of our time in the summer.  Dad surely provided a beautiful home and setting for us.  It was a wonderful place to grow up.

In 2001 Dad and Mom moved to Naples, Florida in their 70’s.  It was their time to enjoy neighborhood parties, bowling and bocce ball in their new condo community.