With profound sadness and heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Sam, loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, best friend and mentor. At the age of 78, Sam passed peacefully at home, as was his final wish, surrounded by his family.
He is survived by the love of his life, Carolina, married 52 years. Sadly, missed by daughter Jett (Bert), son Ryan (Daniela) and son Stefano. Grandfather to Tawni (Scott) and Dylan (Danielle) and great grandfather to Quintin, Cayden, Kaylee and Kane. Brother to Victor (Joanne), Joe (Susan), Josie (Tony) and his very close friend Rob. He was predeceased by his parents, Giovanna and Francesco.
Born February 6, 1941 in Villagrazia, Sicily and immigrated to Winnipeg in 1952. In 1961, he met Carolina Cantafio at a church event and they married 5 years later. They welcomed their first child, Jett, followed by Ryan and then Stefano. The whole family moved to Sooke in 1980, opened Salvatore’s Hair Salon and quickly became beloved members of the community.
In Winnipeg, Sam was a member of the Optimist Club. In Sooke, he was involved with Stage West Players in a variety of roles; actor, director, playwright, producer and stylist. Stage West recently made him an honorary lifetime member. He was a longtime lodge member of the Sooke Freemasons, also acting as Master Mason. In Victoria, he was involved in the Victoria Operatic Society, a Victoria Barbershop Chorus member, along with several quartets.
Sam was a dedicated, loyal and selfless man with the patience of a saint. You could always rely on him to warm up any room with a friendly smile and had a sense of humour all his own. He will be greatly missed by many but will live on in our hearts.
A Memorial Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at 3:00 pm in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, officiated by Gordon Thurston and Erik Trovall.
Our service today is being live stream. If you are unable to attend, please click on the link below.
The entire family would like to convey our deepest gratitude to the staff on 4 South and the Home Dialysis Unit at the Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria Hospice and Home and Community Care Nursing. Special thanks to Dr. Saunders, Dr. Weir and Dr. Maskey for your compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to one of the following; Victoria Hospice or the Kidney Foundation of Victoria.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Maureen Fatin
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Ryan Morben Sam was such an exceptional fellow, his loss will truly be mourned, and his legacy remembered.
My deepest condolences go out to his family and friends.
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Marion Platt Dear Carol and family,
My heart goes out to you during this very sad time of losing your beloved husband and a friend to many.He was loved by so many and his positive and kind energy made you believe yes I can do this with Gusto! Good night, goodnight Sam until we meet again. Adios, au revoir, Auf Wiedersehn til then, And though its always sweet sorrow to part, You know you’ll always remain in our hearts!
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Bill Plewman Dear Carol and Family
We are very sorry to hear of Sam’s passing. Our sincerest condolences to all at this sad time.
You are in our thoughts and prayers,
Bill and Bernadette
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Susan pasta To my wonderful sister in-law Carol and her wonderful family I would like to send my heart felt condolences to you and your family over the loss of Sam. Since the age of 14 he was always there for me. He was the most wonderful person I have ever met. I will miss you more than you will ever know. Until we meet again thank you for always being there for me. Loved forever and always in my heart
Sister in law Sue
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Flemming Odgaard Dear Carol and family
Sam Pasta; a more beautiful soul I’ve never met. Always a ready smile that took you in and made you feel welcome and special.
Sam touched my life through music, beginning with Victoria Village Squires. We shared brief time in a
quartet “Pasta Prime” with baritone Gerry Cox and base Ed Ford.
Sam let me share in the enjoyment of performing in “Our Fair Lady”, that he directed in Sooke.
Sam will forever occupy a very special place in my heart.
My condolences to you Carol and your family.
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Valerie, Gerry Walther All that we want to say has already been said. Sam we loved you and have so much to thank you for, just by being yourself. Carol, stay strong and remember you have a multitude of friends who love you. Our thoughts are with you
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Pasqualina Clarke Vance and Pasqualina Clarke and Family
Dear Carol and Family ,
So sorry to hear of Sam’s Passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours. May he Rest In Peace and Rise in Glory,
Sincerely Cousins Pasqualina Vance and the girls
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Vicky and Mario Infusino Dear Carol
Our deepest condolences to you and your family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you
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Lucy Chagas Dear Carol and Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Love your cousins Lucy, Pedro and Family
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Kim Smail Dear Carol & Family,
Our deepest condolences to you and your family.
Hugs Kim Smail, Amanda & Allison
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Annie and Billie Walsh To the whole Pasta clan.
We are grateful to have known Sam and to have enjoyed many happy times with him and the rest of the family. Our children will continue that family friendship and Gentle Sam will never be forgotten.
Love and deepest condolences to you all
The Walsh/Stuart clan
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Derek Parussini Dear Carol & Family
His smile and laugh will be missed by many.
He was a unique and wonderful person.
Our condolences to your familyShelley & Derek Parussini
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Helen and ron Sam will be missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Ron and I were two of the very lucky people who had that privilege. We would like to express our condolences to his wonderful family. We know how much he was loved by all and will be sorely missed.
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Kerry and Madelaine Dear Carol and Family:
Madelaine and Kerry send our condolences and best wishes in your time of sorrow
Sorry we couldn’t get to the service due to weather and our aging nature
We did watch service on live stream and it was a lovely service.
Hope to see you in the futureKind regards and Wishes
Kerry and Madelaine Burbridge
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Shera and Ian Skinner Carol and family,
We were so saddened to hear of Sam’s passing. He meant so much to Al and Iona and to us. I will miss his twinkly (“I’m always up to something”) smile. All I keep thinking is that at least he and Al are whooping it up now up there, together again.
Lots of love.
Shera and Ian
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Morgan Lesov Carol, Jeanette, Ryan, Stefano, Tawny and Dylan;
I am so profoundly sorry for your loss. Sam was a wonderful man, husband, brother and nonno. He will be missed so much by so many. I’m sorry I can’t be there in person today to celebrate him but will be following along the live stream.
Best, Morgan and Boyan
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Beth Sigurdson I had the Privilege Of being A Chapter In Sam And Carol Lives. Sam Was My Boss, My Mentor, My Friend
I Always Remember The Interview , Sam hired Me on the Spot , from there I was forever Blessed to Have this Wonderful Family in my Life. There Was So So Many Great Times , I Thank You Sam for when ever I Needed Advice you were Always There And Yes you were Always Right . I Thank you from the Bottom of my Heart And Carol for Everything So Much to mention. So Our hearts are heavy Today you will Forever be Missed . To the Pasta family Please Know Your in My Heart and Prayer
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Fuzzy & Kerry Fedosenko Dear Carol and family,
We were so sorry to hear of Sam’s passing, Sam will leave an empty spot on Earth but will brighten the heavens. Forever in our hearts.
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Gioacchino Bisconti Dear Carolina and family,
we are sorry for this sad news. Sam gave us a lot with his smile and tied our families together. His memory will remain forever in our hearts.
Let us pray for our Sam to watch over his family. A big hug to everybody.
Gioacchino’s family, mum Rosetta and my father Salvatore 🙁
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Marjorie Baskerville Dear Carol and Family, thinking of you and sending love and prayers during your time of grief. Sam was such a wonderful being, full of delight, patience, song, and a touch of mischief. He was always kind and generous with his time when it came to theatrical endeavours. He loved the stage and transferred that love to anyone who was lucky enough to work with him. My last visit with him was a few years back when he was in the hospital. He was going through old family photos and sharing stories about his childhood. A whole new world of who “sam pasta” was opened up to me. I felt blessed to have shared those moments with him. He was loved by so many and will be equally grieved by many. My heart is heavy for you and your family, but know that he has left you with a lifetime of wonderful memories, much love, Marjorie Baskerville
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Sandy Jarvis (Drodge) Dear Carol and family.
I am so truly sorry for your loss. Deepest Condolences to you , your children and all the family.
Sandy Jarvis and my children Jason, Ben and Carleen
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Pam Miller Carol,Victor and Josie,and family’s:
My thoughts are with you .So hard to say goodbye..but so comforting to think of all the beautiful “hello’s” he gave and received in his lifetime.
Avec Amour Pam Miller
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Teresa Vopni Dear Carol and family,
You have our deepest condolences for the loss of such a wonderful person.
We hope it gives you comfort to know that a man with a good soul lives through his family forever.
We are very sorry for your loss,
Teresa & Art Vopni
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Betty-Anne and Alex Pap Sam we miss you so much. You have been a very best friend. and We will always remember your kindness,you r unshakeable friendship. You the Godfather to our Grand-daughter Caroline have been an inspiration to so many people. God has taken you home to rest in peace. Watch over us knowing how much we love you.
Betty-Anne and Alex Pap
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Mary Widmer My deepest sympathies to you Carol and your family.
Sam was a wonderful, warm and talented man. What a loss!
Sincere condolences from all the Widmers.
Thinking of you, Mary Widmer
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Dorothy Bradley Dear Carol and Family, Memories you have all shared together and you will have plenty,they will help you all in the days ahead…love Dot.xxx
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Steven Mah Dear Ryan & family,
I am thinking of you and your loss. Your father was a good man. Please accept my deepest sympathies.
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Winnie Jackson To Carol and family
Baz will miss you smile and friendship for the last 30 years he will certainly be missed
Hugs and prayers
Baz & Winnie
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Liz Sephton and Jerry Daly A truly gentle-man. A wonderful boss. A great friend.
Carol and family we mourne the loss of Sam with you.
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Barbershop Buddies Doug & Lynne Smith Dear Carol and Family,
Missing my high note quartet comrade, sweet smiler and Amigo in Mexico.
Warmest wishes to all of you as you experience this time of loss and peace for Sam.Love Always
Doug & Lynne Smith
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castellese Antonio. Carissimi cugini,ci uniamo a voi in questo dolore ,Sam resterà sempre nei nostri cuori.abbrscciamo soprattutto Carolina , preghiamo Dio di dargli la forza per andare avanti.
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Valerie Barr and Randy Mutch Dear Carol and family; We are so sorry for your loss. Sending peace, love and blessings as you grieve for Sam.
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Todd Olynyk Carol and Family,
I am very saddened to hear the news of Sam leaving this world. He will always be in our hearts and will always live in our memories. I will always remember Sam as a gentle and kind man who always had a warm smile on his face. This world will not be the same without him and I will miss him.
Todd Olynyk
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Shelley Pasta That smile and chuckle are ingrained in my head! He was a kind and gentle spirit with a fabulous sense of humor! He leaves an irreplaceable void, but our memories are robust! He will never be forgotten. My love to All of my cousins, aunts, & uncles. I will miss you Uncle Sam. Your loving niece.
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Jerry Van Ek Dear Carol and family – My deepest condolences on the loss of Sam. He was a great friend in all the years I have known him and I will always remember him fondly. I wish you strength and courage in the days ahead. Jerry Van Ek
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Ed Jobson To Carol, family and friends
My sincerest condolences on the loss of your dear Sam. I have known Sam for 26 years, and in all that time my most consistent memory is of his gentle nature and beautiful smile.
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Nancy Trites Botkin Dearest Carol,
I cannot begin to imagine how devastating it is to not have Sam by your side, your best friend, your partner and your lover. I’m sure there are no words to describe the loss, like half of you is missing. Sam was always utterly generous and kind, filled with love of life and that glorious smile that made everyone feel special and loved. Jason and Trevor and Colin each have wonderful memories of his quiet and steady presence. And then the videos of his singing. Oh my, he will be missed by so many who loved him.
Sending you love and courage as you face life without your dearest man. He was a gentle prince.
Nancy
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Ken Pungente Carol & Family, My heart & thoughts go out to you & all who have been touched by this wonderful man. He has left his mark on me for my lifetime, as he has to others who have had the pleasure of knowing him. I’m in the country of his birth until Feb. & will miss the gathering, but today I give a toast to a great human being. Salute Salvatore, Ken Pungente
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Heather Chelsea Carol,
Our thoughts are with you and the family at this very difficult time. Sam was such an inspiration to so many and it is difficult to let go of such a beautiful man. Each person has their own special memories of Sam to cherish and so his spirit lives on…
While it is not easy to be thankful at a time like this, we hope you will find comfort in the knowledge that Sam’s life was so enriched by all those who loved him, and you are so fortunate to have shared his journey.
Hugs from Heather, Rob & Lois
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Adele Morley Dear Carol and family
We all loved working in theatre with your wonderful, kind husband, we will always remember his smile and the direction he brought to VOS. He always had time to help out when ever asked, I will miss having him come to our church, for our fund raisers.
Take good care of yourself Carol, I will be in touch.
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Carol and Mario Pallone Dear Carol and family I wished we could be with you on this difficult time our sincere condolences to you and your family from us all love cousins Carol Mario and family
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Joan and Ken Boyce Dearest Carol and family
Hugs from Ken, myself, David, Jason, and Lisa. Sam will be missed. We have so many wonderful memories of him and all our family times together. Our deepest sympathy goes out to all of you and what a lovely family you are for ensuring that Sam had such support and love from you all right to end of his life….a life well lived.
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Rachele Mancusi Cara Carol,
Siamo veramente dispiaciuti per l’indimenticabile Sam. Ti siamo vicini in questo momento così difficile e ti mandiamo un abbraccio sincero.
Zia Felicia, Rachele, Piero, Ivan e Ilaria
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Judy and Jamie Holt So sorry for your loss. Sam was loved by so many. Our family enjoyed many great memories and laughs with San during our Victoria visits over the years. We will miss you and your great sense of humor and positive mindset. Best regards to the family at this difficult time.
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Christopher I am happy to have met your beloved father before his passing and your mother Stefano. It is clear where you get your honour and your selflessness.
My deepest condolences to you and your entire family.
Christopher
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Lesley Please accept our most sincere condolences. Sam made the world a better place.
With great love
Lesley, Rob and family
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Vivian Billingham Dear Victor and family! With such love he will always be in your heart and memory!
Thinking of you at this time.Warmest regards
Vivian Billingham
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Tasha MacIntyre Stefano, Carol and family. I am so sorry to hear of Sam’s passing. The world lost a lovely man. My love and thoughts are with you all.
Tasha
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Perri Sloan Dear Carol and family words can’t express on how we feel about your loss.we will be thinking of you and your family in this difficult time. Love Cousins Perri and Dave.
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Arlene Mar Dear Carol and family
Words cannot describe the sadness I feel for your loss. Meeting and working with Sam back in the late 70’s was an honor. I will remember his smile and gentle soul. ” I’ll see you again someday Sam and in the meantime you’ll always be in my heart ”
Sincere condolences
Arlene Mar
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Glen Brown Carol and family
I give thanks to have been a friend of Sam and grateful to have known this wonderful family, and lucky to have a cousin in this family too. You were everything to Sam and he was always more concerned about everyone else, ahead of himself. A role model for all of us.
Lots of love to you all from my family.
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Janna Simons Carol and family, I am so sorry with the loss of your Sam. He was such a wonderful, remarkable person. He’s left so many great memories with so many people in this world and he’ll be forever missed. You’re all in my thoughts in these difficult times.
Love Janna
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Alice Bacon Our deepest condolences to the whole family and to our friend Rob. Thinking of you all at this very sad time. John, Alice & Will
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Zennie Fyfe Carol & Family,
We were so sorry to hear of Sam’s passing. Our deepest condolences to you and your family at this time.’
Ken, Zennie, Kyler & Qionna Fyfe
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Dawn Turner To Carol and family:
Sam was such a kind joyful handsome man who made all around him feel welcomed and special. He wore is love for his family proudly on his face. He was proud of those that came before him and those here now. He has left a legacy of love no one can deny or forget. Heaven gained a truly special angel. Thinking of you all with sympathy and love cousins Maria Lovallo Turner, Dawn, Don, Shawna, Devyn & Lindsay May you find comfort in God and your memories.
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Bob Mills Dear Carol and Family We share in your great loss of a wonderful man
Our prayers are with you all
Bob , Bridget and family
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Salvator Sam Pasta Sam is not lost but will always remain in our hearts ♥️. He lived a wonderful and full life touching many hearts. Sam and Carol were also godparents to my son. May the eternal light of God shine upon him. Cousin Sam.
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Suzanne Bell Dear Carole, Victor, Josie and family – I am so sorry to hear of Sam’s passing. I well remember meeting the four of you in Fiddler on the Roof nearly 30 years ago, and Sam’s lovely smile is in my memory still. He was kind, funny, thoughtful, and a real gentleman. I feel lucky to have been part of that production, and lucky every time I ran into him afterwards – Pasta Night, musical events, and other community theatre shows. His smile lit up the room.
I am so sorry that I can’t be at the service on Wednesday – but please know that my heart will be with you, and it aches for you all. I am so sorry for your terrible loss.
Suzanne Bell
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Allan Jacques To Carol, family and friends.
We share in the immense sense of loss your are facing. Always a kind, encouraging and gentle friend, Sam leaves a legacy that will continue to inspire all those who knew him.
We send our love and heartfelt condolences.
Allan and Geri Jacques
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Stella De Dominicis Dear Carol & Family
We are so sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this
very sad & difficult time.
Love Cousins Stella, Gabriele & Family
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Toni Donvito Dear Carol & Family
Thinking of you at this very sad time. Our sincerest condolences
to you all.
Love cousins, Toni, Joe & Paul Donvito
Dear Carol:
I was greatly saddened to learn of Sam`s passing. I have very fond memories of getting to know both of you during The Victoria Operatic Society`s production of The Wizard of Oz when Sam played the Wizard. He was such a gentleman, kind, caring, talented and a pleasure to work with. It was lovely to reconnect in Mexico a few years ago Neil & I send sincere condolences to you his `soul mate. and
your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Maureen Fatin