Samuel J. Zaffino, Sr., 91, of Erie, passed away on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at Forestview Skilled Health Care following a brief illness. He was born in Morrison, PA on November 18, 1925 a son of the late Bruno and Asunta Primerana Zaffino.

Sam proudly served in the United States Navy during World War II and went on to work at Fuhrman & Brown Precision Tool Co. as a shop foreman and supervisor for 68 years. He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church and a life member of the Sons of Italy Gorizia Lodge #1176, Disabled Vets of America, and the VFW Post #470. He was a member of the Siebenbuerger Club, was an avid hunter and bowler, and enjoyed spending time at camp.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth A. Shepard Zaffino; one son, Dennis S. Zaffino; one daughter, Robin Sue Silvis; two brothers, including his twin brother, Louis Zaffino, and Ned Zaffino; three sisters, Lena Piehuta, Bernice Zaffino, and Angelina Kujava; and his stepmother, Mary Carmella Zaffino.

Survivors include his wife, Rose Anne Wienczkowski Zaffino; one daughter, Beth Cacchione and her husband, Dr. Philip, of Erie; three sons, Samuel J. Zaffino, Jr. and his wife, Elizabeth, David Zaffino and his wife, Corinne, and Gerald B. Zaffino and his wife, Michelle, all of Erie; one brother, Frank Zaffino of Clarendon, PA; two sisters, Stella Wenzel of Warren, PA, and Josephine Feidler of Dallas, TX; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; his sister in law, Judy Zaffino of Erie; his son in law, Joe Silvis of Erie; his daughter in law, Marilyn Zaffino Gentile and her husband, Carl, of Erie; and many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Rd., on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and are invited to a prayer service there on Saturday morning at 9:15 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at Holy Rosary Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m.. Burial with military honors will follow in Erie Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 2701 East Ave., Erie, 16504 or St. Jude Children's Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis, TN 38105.

The family would like to thank the staff at Forestview Skilled Health Care, especially Marie and Hope, for their love and care given to Samuel.

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