Simone "Sam" J Ambrosino

Simone “Sam” Joseph  Ambrosino, age 88, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on March 19, 2020 after a brief illness. 

Sam (Sammy to those that loved and knew him well) was a first generation Italian-American born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, where he lived with his parents, Salvatore and Rose Ambrosino, and sisters Anna and Tootsie.  It was in Brooklyn where he met the love of his life, Mary Palermo. 

While in NY, he worked as a grocery store manager, a butcher, sales manager and even a musician in a four man act named “The Four Chaps”.  The Chaps were a smooth sounding group of lifelong friends with songs styled in the same genre as Sinatra.  He was a proud Veteran and served in the Korean War as an Army MP.

While food and music were his passions, nothing compared to his love for Mary.  Sam and Mary got married in 1956 and went on to have 5 children together.  They moved to Delaware in 1972 to start a new life in “the country”. 

In Delaware, Sam thrived as a small business owner and became very active in the community.  He became state president of the Order Sons of Italy, a member of the board of directors for the National Foundation of the March of Dimes, a member of the board for cultural development in the City of Wilmington and even ran for office as the Register in Chancery court.

As busy as he was, nothing kept him from attending events and milestones for his family. He attended our baseball games, musicals, concerts, football games and especially loved when his grandkids were on the field or on the stage.  He also loved to travel and loved taking the family on vacations to Italy, Disney and his beloved Delaware beaches!

He also loved taking us out to the fresh air of the Delaware Park racetrack.  He loved the smell of the track, the excitement of the race and the thrill of the win. He also loved taking his daughters for a joint birthday celebration of pastrami sandwiches every February/March. (His favorite was the GM).

Dad will be missed and remembered with love by his family!  He is predeceased by his parents; Salvatore and Rose Ambrosino; his sister, Marion Ambrosino and his father in-law and mother in-law, Joseph and Julie Palermo.   Sam is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary (nee Palermo) Ambrosino and children, Sal Ambrosino and wife Maura, Joe Ambrosino and husband Steven, Roe Davis and husband Lee, Julie Malewski and husband Charlie and Anthony Ambrosino and wife Maureen.  He is also survived by his grandchildren who provided so much joy in his life: Christine (Shawn), Ali (Patrick), Chaz, Abby, Tyler and Matthew and his great-granddaughter, Ava.  He is also survived by his “baby sister” Concetta “Tootsie” Jovino and his only niece, Louise, as well as many beloved cousins and friends.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, funeral services and burial will be private. A Mass of Christian Burial and celebration of Dad’s life will be held at a later date.

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