While in Tukum-Kurland, Russia, Sam's father Abe along with Abe's father Shlomo raised and trained Arabian stallions. Shlomo also trained professional prize fighters. According to the story told by Sam's daughter Geraldine, Shlomo had a terrible temper which he kept under control. He was also said to have had enormous hands. A story that Sam would often tell his daughters was that one time while in Russia, Shlomo had a 2-horse hitch and wagon traveling somewhere and he was attacked by 2 Kossaks who he soundly beat up with horse whips and was able to escape.

While living in Detroit in 1929, Sam lived at 3275 Grand. The April 1930 United States census page reveals that Sam, at the age of 30, was working as a stockroom checker in Detroit, Michigan

Sam was Orthodox but married an Irish girl. Helen was his first wife and they lived in Fort Wayne, Indiana

Sam was in the furniture business and moved often during his work in that field. He finally settled in Syracuse but lived later in Albany and is buried there.

OBITUARY NOTICE #1
Samual A. LaVine.
Funeral services for Samuel A. LaVine, 60, of 218 Ormond Street, will be today at 1pm from the Levine Memorial Chapel, 230 Delaware Avenue (518-438-1002) with Rabbi Herman Kieval and Cantor Herbert Feder of Temple Israel officiating. Burial will be in Temple Israel Cemetery, Guilderland, NY.

OBITUARY NOTICE #2:
Mr. LaVine, a native of Russia, died Friday at Albany Hospital after a brief illness. He had lived in Syracuse for many years and in Albany for the past three years. LaVine was a member of Temple Israel and its brotherhood. Surviving are his wife, the former Helena Lefkowitz, two daughters, Mrs. Sheldon Glass of California, and Mrs. Morton Berson of Syracuse and four grandchildren

Sam is buried next to Helena LaVine, his 2nd wife.

There is a memorial plaque for Sam at Temple Israel, Albany, NY

Buried: Temple Israel Cemetery, Guilderland, NY Section D Row 13 Grave R 518-438-7858

Grandparents:
Sharya Weinreich (1848-1897)
Rose Weinreich (1850-1924)

Parents:
Abe Levine
Bessie Weinreich Levine

Siblings:
Harriet Levine Stewart (1906-1989)
Harry Levine (1909-1979)
Louis LaVine (1913-1998)
Max "Mickey" LaVine (1915-2002)

Spouses:
Wife #1 - Helen Ann McMahon (1903-1938)
Wife #2 - Helena Lefkowitz (1907-1986)

Children (by Helen):
Patricia Ann LaVine Glass (1926- )
Geraldine LaVine Berson Frank (1931- )