Obituary of Samuel Sapira

Sam Sapira, a retired Business Technology Consultant, passed away unexpectedly, with his family at his side, on Saturday, December 17, 2016. He was 71 years old. Sam was born in Munsterschwarzach, Bavaria, Germany. His biological father was taken to a work camp by the Russians before Sam was born and never returned. His mother, Melania would eventually marry, Petro Jakymenko and they fled Germany in 1950. Sam was 5 years old at the time. They came to the United States and settled in Lynn where Sam grew up. He was a 1963 graduate of Lynn Classical High School. He excelled in sports playing one year of basketball, two years of football and three years of baseball. Sam earned a full football scholarship to the University of Arizona graduating from Northeastern University with a bachelor of science in business administration. In 2009 Sam was inducted into Lynn Classical High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Sam was of Ukrainian descent and remained fluent in his native language his entire life. Sam was a well-respected business technology consultant who thrived on helping his clients be successful. He started in the business world and was there in the early days of computers. He would work at Data General and Digital for many years before starting his own consulting company called P-Soft. He did consulting for 15 years with People Soft being his biggest client. He traveled all over the United States and Canada for his work. Sam had a simple mantra; “Family always came first”. He was a devoted and loving husband to his wife, Ann, for 50 years. They enjoyed raising their son and daughter, seeing them marry, and then most importantly being a part of their grandchildren’s lives. Sam was always there for his children, encouraging them in school, sports, and in their careers. He was the voice of reason and comfort. He loved being a grandfather. His retirement years were spent with his grandchildren. He loved playing with them, teaching them sports, and supporting them in all their activities. He was at their games and even practices encouraging them to do their best. Food and traditions were a very important part of Sam’s life. He took up cooking, starting with breakfasts, found he really enjoyed it and extended his menu. He approached cooking much like work, starting with a basic dish and refining it until it is perfect. Some of his favorite dishes included vareniki, stuffed cabbage and chicken parmesan. The holidays were very important to Sam. He was in charge of the kitchen and loved when his family was gathered around the dinner table. Before the meal, Sam would always make a toast which always had the same theme, “Being thankful for what they had and for the love and closeness of family and friends”. He also enjoyed hosting family and friends to his home for dinners or brunches. His passing will be difficult for his family because Sam’s influence and presence was constant. But he leaves them countless wonderful memories filled with laughter and love. He also has passed on to them his simple legacy that they can follow, “Family always comes first”. Sam was the beloved husband of Ann Marie (Belkas) Loving father of Peter & his wife Kerry Valentine of Holyoke and Valerie Doherty & her husband Rich of Burlington. Proud grandfather of Sienna Sapira and Jake, Brady, Sammy & J.T. Doherty. Brother of the late Walter Sapira and Rose Hruszczak. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Tuesday 4-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Sam’s name may be made to Burlington Pop Warner, PO Box 1521, Burlington, MA 01803.