Sam Panzica's Obituary
Sam Panzica, age 91, a 63 year resident of Hazel Park, Mich. passed away March 15, 2013 in West Bloomfield, Mich. He was born March 9, 1922 in Welland, Ontario, Canada. He was the first of 5 children born to Decimo and Lillian Panzica. He was only 19 when his father passed away and he became a great source of comfort and support to his mother and younger siblings. Sam served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II. After the war, a visiting cousin from the states would change his life by introducing him to her best friend Vera Marie Gueli. He would share 59 years of marriage and raise 4 children with her. He worked for John Hancock Insurance until he retired. He was active in local politics and ran for political office. He was the president of his local union and was an active member of St. Mary Magdalen Church for many years. After he retired, he worked part-time at Hopcroft Funeral Home, which he enjoyed very much, but quit when his mother became ill and he and Vera made many trips to Welland to spend time with her. He was a devoted husband and when Vera was dying of cancer, he spent every day with her at the hospital and nursing home. The nurses and aides in the nursing home used to say “We want a man like Sam.” He was known for his devotion to family, his sense of humor, his love of movies, politics, history and the opera. Sam was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was predeceased by his wife Vera, and is survived by his children, Lillian (Don) Erwin of Huntington Woods, Nick Panzica of Ypsilanti, John (Debra) Panzica of Rochester Hills and Joseph Panzica of Madison Heights, grandchildren Nora Kolar, Valerie Erwin, Loretta (Charles) Bradfield, Nicole Panzica, Melissa (Joseph) Llewellyn and Justin Panzica, great-grandson Noah Kolar and great-granddaughters Lauren Kolar and Brooke Bradfield. He is also survived by his sisters, Lillian Timineri, Mary D’Amico, Rose D’Amico, and his brother, Norm Panzica, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Visitation Tuesday 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm (Rosary 7:00 pm) at Hopcroft Funeral Home, 23919 John R. Road, Hazel Park, Mich. Funeral Wednesday 10:30 am - instate, 11:00 am Mass at St. Mary Magdalen Church, Hazel Park, Mich. Burial at White Chapel Cemetery, Troy, Mich. Memorials may be made to St. Mary Magdalen Church or the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation.
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