Samuel Saponaro

Samuel A. Saponaro Sr., 76, passed away peacefully, April 10, 2024, with loving family by his side, at Wynn Hospital, Utica.

Sam was born in Utica, February 1, 1948, a son of the late Anthony and Mary (DiMambro) Saponaro. He was raised and educated locally and a 1966 graduate of UFA. Sam was once joined in marriage to the former Patty Evans, and from this union they shared their beloved son, Sam. Samuel later went on to marry the former Janet Wrana, with whom he spent several years.

Always a musician at heart, Sam loved to play and record with his son, friends, and several bands throughout the years. He was proud to be part of several upstate New York bands including “The New Yorkers”, “Zeus”, “Chill Factor”, “Honey Bush Brothers”, and his son Sam’s band, “Suns of the Empire”. A talented lead guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, Sam had recorded with “Cinnamon Rush”. Sam also enjoyed being outdoors, especially fly fishing and tying flies, and was an avid stamp collector. A big car buff, he would affectionately tell his daughter-in-law, Shelby, she was named after his favorite car of all time, the Ford Shelby Mustang.

Sam is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Samuel Jr. and Shelby Saponaro; granddaughters, Claudia and Scarlett Saponaro; sister, Theresa Planty; aunts, Margaret “Maggie” DiMambro and Genevieve DiMambro; and also several nieces, nephews, and cousins, close friends, and bandmates. He was predeceased by his brother, Lawrence Saponaro; and brother-in-law, Carl Planty.

Relatives and friends are invited to Samuels’s funeral service, Saturday, April 13, at 6 p.m., at The Matt Funeral Home. The family will receive visitors Saturday, 4 p.m. until 6 p.m., at The Matt Funeral Home, 700 Rutger St., corner of Mohawk St., Utica.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Samuel Saponaro, please visit our floral store.