Born August 24, 1931 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Mae (Wolpert) and Harold Farmerie, Sam was bounced around the city throughout his childhood.
Raised in poverty during the war, he learned the value of hard work early in life.
Being a typical child in the 1930s, he enjoyed building model planes, collecting stamps, camping with the Boy Scouts and trips to Forbes Field for ballgames. All of those pastimes would continue into his adult life as activities he'd enjoy with his children.
His first official job was that as a paper boy for the Pittsburgh Press at the age of 11, with each paper selling for 3 cents. While some of his money went to the family or the purchase of war bonds, there was always a little left for a movie or taking his younger siblings to doubleheaders.
He continued through a diverse assortment of jobs, including farm worker, Forbes Field vendor, Kaufmann's stock boy, roofer, glass worker, waiter and steel worker, to name a few.
At the age of 19, having saved the money for college, Sam was off to Clarion State Teachers College and earned his bachelor's degree.
After graduation, knowing a draft notice was likely, he joined the Marine Corps and was shipped off to Japan. He was assigned his first teaching job, instructor for the Atomic, Biological and Chemical Warfare school. His time in the Marine Corps would have a lasting impact.
Upon his return, Sam moved to East Smithfield, Pennsylvania, to teach high school math and history. He eventually taught across the hall from a cute blond named Janice, the woman he would marry on April Fools Day, 1961. Always a bit of a prankster, the timing of his marriage day was fitting.
During the summers of '58 to '60, he used his benefits from the G.I. Bill and was formally introduced to Westminster College, as he completed the master of education program. Wanting to better provide for his new wife and improve himself, he then entered the Higher Education Program at Penn State and achieved his Ph.D.
After a brief stint at Lebanon Valley College, he completed the circle in 1966 with his return to the Education Department at Westminster College. This would begin a tenure lasting 57 years that eventually led him to chair the department and lead the graduate program. He was a passionate advocate for his students, wanting each one to achieve the best they could be.
While he loved teaching, in 2001 he entered soft retirement as the Curator of the Artifacts Committee. He then discovered the second love of his life — a 2,300-year-old mummy named Pesed. His commitment to Pesed over the next 22 years led her to be regarded as an honorary member of his family.
Sam was a kind and gentle soul. He was involved in multiple facets of the community over the years through a wide assortment of clubs, public service roles and church leadership.
He loved history, listening to the spring peepers, impromptu trips to Coney Island, all things Pittsburgh (especially Clark bars and sports teams) and had a razor-sharp memory for the nearest ice cream shop.
He delighted in delivering chocolate hearts to the college staff on Valentine's Day and goofy little pranks on April Fools Day. He truly was "Super Duper."
Sam died on Feb. 21, 2023, joining his wife, Janice, and infant son, Gerry, in death. He leaves behind children Randy, Todd and Wendy; siblings, Larry and Betty; and a tremendous extended family.
A celebration of life will be held at at 3 p.m. April 1 at New Wilmington Presbyterian Church. In memoriam gifts should be directed to the Samuel A & Janice C Farmerie Scholarship or Artifacts Committee, both at Westminster College, Development Office.
Arrangements entrusted to Smith Funeral Home of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania.
Raised in poverty during the war, he learned the value of hard work early in life.
Being a typical child in the 1930s, he enjoyed building model planes, collecting stamps, camping with the Boy Scouts and trips to Forbes Field for ballgames. All of those pastimes would continue into his adult life as activities he'd enjoy with his children.
His first official job was that as a paper boy for the Pittsburgh Press at the age of 11, with each paper selling for 3 cents. While some of his money went to the family or the purchase of war bonds, there was always a little left for a movie or taking his younger siblings to doubleheaders.
He continued through a diverse assortment of jobs, including farm worker, Forbes Field vendor, Kaufmann's stock boy, roofer, glass worker, waiter and steel worker, to name a few.
At the age of 19, having saved the money for college, Sam was off to Clarion State Teachers College and earned his bachelor's degree.
After graduation, knowing a draft notice was likely, he joined the Marine Corps and was shipped off to Japan. He was assigned his first teaching job, instructor for the Atomic, Biological and Chemical Warfare school. His time in the Marine Corps would have a lasting impact.
Upon his return, Sam moved to East Smithfield, Pennsylvania, to teach high school math and history. He eventually taught across the hall from a cute blond named Janice, the woman he would marry on April Fools Day, 1961. Always a bit of a prankster, the timing of his marriage day was fitting.
During the summers of '58 to '60, he used his benefits from the G.I. Bill and was formally introduced to Westminster College, as he completed the master of education program. Wanting to better provide for his new wife and improve himself, he then entered the Higher Education Program at Penn State and achieved his Ph.D.
After a brief stint at Lebanon Valley College, he completed the circle in 1966 with his return to the Education Department at Westminster College. This would begin a tenure lasting 57 years that eventually led him to chair the department and lead the graduate program. He was a passionate advocate for his students, wanting each one to achieve the best they could be.
While he loved teaching, in 2001 he entered soft retirement as the Curator of the Artifacts Committee. He then discovered the second love of his life — a 2,300-year-old mummy named Pesed. His commitment to Pesed over the next 22 years led her to be regarded as an honorary member of his family.
Sam was a kind and gentle soul. He was involved in multiple facets of the community over the years through a wide assortment of clubs, public service roles and church leadership.
He loved history, listening to the spring peepers, impromptu trips to Coney Island, all things Pittsburgh (especially Clark bars and sports teams) and had a razor-sharp memory for the nearest ice cream shop.
He delighted in delivering chocolate hearts to the college staff on Valentine's Day and goofy little pranks on April Fools Day. He truly was "Super Duper."
Sam died on Feb. 21, 2023, joining his wife, Janice, and infant son, Gerry, in death. He leaves behind children Randy, Todd and Wendy; siblings, Larry and Betty; and a tremendous extended family.
A celebration of life will be held at at 3 p.m. April 1 at New Wilmington Presbyterian Church. In memoriam gifts should be directed to the Samuel A & Janice C Farmerie Scholarship or Artifacts Committee, both at Westminster College, Development Office.
Arrangements entrusted to Smith Funeral Home of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania.
Born August 24, 1931 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Mae (Wolpert) and Harold Farmerie, Sam was bounced around the city throughout his childhood.
Raised in poverty during the war, he learned the value of hard work early in life.
Being a typical child in the 1930s, he enjoyed building model planes, collecting stamps, camping with the Boy Scouts and trips to Forbes Field for ballgames. All of those pastimes would continue into his adult life as activities he'd enjoy with his children.
His first official job was that as a paper boy for the Pittsburgh Press at the age of 11, with each paper selling for 3 cents. While some of his money went to the family or the purchase of war bonds, there was always a little left for a movie or taking his younger siblings to doubleheaders.
He continued through a diverse assortment of jobs, including farm worker, Forbes Field vendor, Kaufmann's stock boy, roofer, glass worker, waiter and steel worker, to name a few.
At the age of 19, having saved the money for college, Sam was off to Clarion State Teachers College and earned his bachelor's degree.
After graduation, knowing a draft notice was likely, he joined the Marine Corps and was shipped off to Japan. He was assigned his first teaching job, instructor for the Atomic, Biological and Chemical Warfare school. His time in the Marine Corps would have a lasting impact.
Upon his return, Sam moved to East Smithfield, Pennsylvania, to teach high school math and history. He eventually taught across the hall from a cute blond named Janice, the woman he would marry on April Fools Day, 1961. Always a bit of a prankster, the timing of his marriage day was fitting.
During the summers of '58 to '60, he used his benefits from the G.I. Bill and was formally introduced to Westminster College, as he completed the master of education program. Wanting to better provide for his new wife and improve himself, he then entered the Higher Education Program at Penn State and achieved his Ph.D.
After a brief stint at Lebanon Valley College, he completed the circle in 1966 with his return to the Education Department at Westminster College. This would begin a tenure lasting 57 years that eventually led him to chair the department and lead the graduate program. He was a passionate advocate for his students, wanting each one to achieve the best they could be.
While he loved teaching, in 2001 he entered soft retirement as the Curator of the Artifacts Committee. He then discovered the second love of his life — a 2,300-year-old mummy named Pesed. His commitment to Pesed over the next 22 years led her to be regarded as an honorary member of his family.
Sam was a kind and gentle soul. He was involved in multiple facets of the community over the years through a wide assortment of clubs, public service roles and church leadership.
He loved history, listening to the spring peepers, impromptu trips to Coney Island, all things Pittsburgh (especially Clark bars and sports teams) and had a razor-sharp memory for the nearest ice cream shop.
He delighted in delivering chocolate hearts to the college staff on Valentine's Day and goofy little pranks on April Fools Day. He truly was "Super Duper."
Sam died on Feb. 21, 2023, joining his wife, Janice, and infant son, Gerry, in death. He leaves behind children Randy, Todd and Wendy; siblings, Larry and Betty; and a tremendous extended family.
A celebration of life will be held at at 3 p.m. April 1 at New Wilmington Presbyterian Church. In memoriam gifts should be directed to the Samuel A & Janice C Farmerie Scholarship or Artifacts Committee, both at Westminster College, Development Office.
Arrangements entrusted to Smith Funeral Home of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania.
Raised in poverty during the war, he learned the value of hard work early in life.
Being a typical child in the 1930s, he enjoyed building model planes, collecting stamps, camping with the Boy Scouts and trips to Forbes Field for ballgames. All of those pastimes would continue into his adult life as activities he'd enjoy with his children.
His first official job was that as a paper boy for the Pittsburgh Press at the age of 11, with each paper selling for 3 cents. While some of his money went to the family or the purchase of war bonds, there was always a little left for a movie or taking his younger siblings to doubleheaders.
He continued through a diverse assortment of jobs, including farm worker, Forbes Field vendor, Kaufmann's stock boy, roofer, glass worker, waiter and steel worker, to name a few.
At the age of 19, having saved the money for college, Sam was off to Clarion State Teachers College and earned his bachelor's degree.
After graduation, knowing a draft notice was likely, he joined the Marine Corps and was shipped off to Japan. He was assigned his first teaching job, instructor for the Atomic, Biological and Chemical Warfare school. His time in the Marine Corps would have a lasting impact.
Upon his return, Sam moved to East Smithfield, Pennsylvania, to teach high school math and history. He eventually taught across the hall from a cute blond named Janice, the woman he would marry on April Fools Day, 1961. Always a bit of a prankster, the timing of his marriage day was fitting.
During the summers of '58 to '60, he used his benefits from the G.I. Bill and was formally introduced to Westminster College, as he completed the master of education program. Wanting to better provide for his new wife and improve himself, he then entered the Higher Education Program at Penn State and achieved his Ph.D.
After a brief stint at Lebanon Valley College, he completed the circle in 1966 with his return to the Education Department at Westminster College. This would begin a tenure lasting 57 years that eventually led him to chair the department and lead the graduate program. He was a passionate advocate for his students, wanting each one to achieve the best they could be.
While he loved teaching, in 2001 he entered soft retirement as the Curator of the Artifacts Committee. He then discovered the second love of his life — a 2,300-year-old mummy named Pesed. His commitment to Pesed over the next 22 years led her to be regarded as an honorary member of his family.
Sam was a kind and gentle soul. He was involved in multiple facets of the community over the years through a wide assortment of clubs, public service roles and church leadership.
He loved history, listening to the spring peepers, impromptu trips to Coney Island, all things Pittsburgh (especially Clark bars and sports teams) and had a razor-sharp memory for the nearest ice cream shop.
He delighted in delivering chocolate hearts to the college staff on Valentine's Day and goofy little pranks on April Fools Day. He truly was "Super Duper."
Sam died on Feb. 21, 2023, joining his wife, Janice, and infant son, Gerry, in death. He leaves behind children Randy, Todd and Wendy; siblings, Larry and Betty; and a tremendous extended family.
A celebration of life will be held at at 3 p.m. April 1 at New Wilmington Presbyterian Church. In memoriam gifts should be directed to the Samuel A & Janice C Farmerie Scholarship or Artifacts Committee, both at Westminster College, Development Office.
Arrangements entrusted to Smith Funeral Home of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania.
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