Joseph R. Samsa

Mass of Christian Burial for Joseph R. Samsa, age 93, of Wickliffe, will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday August 11th at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church 29850 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe. Mr. Samsa passed away August 4, 2018 at West Medical Center and was born on September 20, 1924 in Cleveland, OH.

Joe served in the U.S. Army as a Combat Sgt. Engineer in the European Theater of operations during World War II. He was a life member of the Euclid Veterans Association, American Legion Post 343, VFW Post 2533 and Catholic War Veterans Post 1959.

Joe was the manager of the Solon Post Office when he retired in 1980.

He played tenor sax for 79 years. Joe played with numerous bands during this period including over 30 years at the Slovene Home for the Aged. On November 28, 2015, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Cleveland style Polka Music and Slovenian culture in America, Joe was singled out to receive their trustees honor roll award.

He was the dearest step-father of Kaye Colasent; Joe is also survived by his nieces and nephews JoAnn Kulle, Joseph Mikovich, Lois McDonald, Mark (Margaret) Samsa, June (Albert) Sorio, Laura Samsa and a great uncle to Courtney Cantrell, Diana Kulle and Erica Mikovich.

Joe was the beloved husband of the late Jo Eileen (nee Tignor); loving son of the late Joseph and Caroline (nee Mihelich); dear brother of the late Mary (Tony) Koren, Josephine (Joseph) Mikovich, Elsie (Zorko) Buic and Norman (Donna); dear uncle of the late Marie Tomcany, Ronald Koren and great uncle of the late Joseph Mikovich Jr.

The family will receive friends at The Orlando-Donsante Funeral Home 29550 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe on Friday August 10th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Burial in Western Reserve Memorial Gardens in Chesterland.

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