Enjoyed playing pool, cards and trips to Saratoga
Published June 4, 2020
NORTH READING — Samuel C. Gentile Jr., “Papa,” 76, of North Reading and formerly of Everett, closed his last deal on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 surrounded by his family (actually just one of his favorite daughters).
Sam was born on June 25, 1943 in Everett. He is survived (barely) by his wife of too many years, Rosemary Gentile, his daughters, Annette G. Gentile and her husband John D. Elliott of North Reading, Paulette (Mickey his mouse) Stafford and her husband Richard Stafford of Mashpee, Rose Ryan and her husband Bill Ryan of Tewksbury and the token son, Samuel C. Gentile III of North Reading.
He is also survived by his sisters, Gail Brickley and Patricia Giampietro and her husband George, all of whom left us and moved to Venice, Florida. He is also survived by his grandchildren, John Elliott, Francesca Elliott, Georgie Elliott, Sam Elliott, Samantha Ryan, Jake Ryan and Sam Gentile IV, who all loved him as their Papa but he couldn’t pull a quarter out of their ears to save his life. Sam is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Samuel and Louise Gentile, and his brother, Donald Gentile.
Sam was born and raised in Everett where he spent many years working at Gentile’s Barber Shop (supposedly as a barber) and the Everett Recreational Center (working, not working out). He also worked for many years at Wonderland Dog Track and Suffolk Downs, both in Revere (and conveniently so was the August Moon). He spent the majority of his career as a real estate agent working for several agencies (whoever would have him), with his proudest accomplishment being a top-selling agent at the beginning of this career. Sam eventually semi-retired and moved to North Reading where he was embraced and known as everyone’s Papa. He worked at Stop and Shop where he would put his humor and personality to their best use while engaging the staff and customers. They were thankful he was only part-time.
Sam enjoyed playing pool, cards, cooking and slowing down the aisles of Market Basket while shopping. He also enjoyed trips to Saratoga, Lake George and the casinos. He loved his Boston sports teams almost as much as his wife and could be found almost every Sunday making “gravy and meatballs,” fried chicken or another specialty while watching one of the games. He had a heart of gold and a pocket full of lint. Sam was a member of the North Reading Loyal Order of the Moose where cardboard cutouts of him adorned the seats when he mistakenly booked a trip out of town during the Super Bowl.
A Celebration of Life will be held for this beloved man, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and all-out repetitive joke teller in the near future. The family appreciates the outpouring of support we have received, as to say we are devastated by his loss would be putting it mildly. We were blessed to have had him in our lives for as long as we did.
Donations may be made in his memory to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at www2.jdrf.org.
