Dear Hanan and Anne,
     George and I just learned today of Sammy's passing. We are so sorry for your loss and certainly would have  loved to give you our condolences and pay our respects in person. We loved the deli's atmosphere and NY vibe, and you guys always remembered us and our favorite sandwiches. Mine, of course, was George's Special. The VERY BEST EVER!!!   We send our love to you and your entire family and will keep you all in our prayers.  God bless everyone 💟✝️
Sincerely, George and Julia Joseph

Just heard of Sam’s passing. It’s absolutely heartbreaking.  Though Whiteway is no longer with us, the thought that Sam was still around always gave me a peaceful feeling.  He was such an incredible guy, and funny, too! I would drive all the way from the beach to get the Dr. Long countless times. And he always knew my order! I know he’s smiling down on us all now. Sending love and prayers to his family. 
Xo,

Shaara Pajcic Swallow

Our deepest sympathies to Sammy's family. I remember fondly how he came into the Barr's Street Eatery to visit the owner and other cherished friends. I remember too meeting his beautiful little granddaughter, sweet Olivia. 
Sammy's warm presence and humor is so greatly missed by all of us. 

My dееp condolences Paul for your father rest in peace his soul he is with GOD now in Heaven in a better place 🙏 
I am sure he was a great man i dont know him but i know your Paul because kids our mirrors of they parents and he been your father that mean he is great man.
I am so sorry for your loss Paul when I found out it break my heart but immediately know he is in Heaven something tell me he is in good hands.I will pray for you Paul and your family to get better soon from this hard times and you will see your father in heaven on your dreams he will show you he is good.Take care my friend and I hope see you soon Paul.

Sam was a blessing to all who were lucky enough to have met him.  I remember getting sandwiches for our Saturday Gator game trips to Gainesville from his dad and Sam. His warm smile and honest approach to life endeared him to so many people.  I just could not drive down Park St, without stopping by to chat. Sam represented what is good in humanity.  Sam led by example, a trait that our creator values more than anything.  I will always be grateful for his friendship. Rest in Peace Sam Salem. You will never be forgotten.

I’ll always remember him as the man who never left anyone without a smile.  From the day I met him - he made me feel as I had known him for years.  What a Special man.   We need many more like him.  

I will always remember my many tennis court side chats with Sam,  aka Cuz, while watching either , Ryan, Paul or Hanan play.  We would chat about many things but some of his favorite topics were, The Boss, Daytona 500, cycling, and of course family. What a great father, husband , friend and man! I will miss our chats! 
RIP Cuz!

Our whole family is still mourning the loss of Whiteway, but losing Sammy too is just heartbreaking! He was such a smiling presence and gift to all of us. Sending our  love and sharing tears with you, Hanan. 

Ryan,

So very sorry to hear about your father. If I can ever help in any way! Please reach out. 
Memories are for ever and my prayer are with you, my friend.

Kelly Lewis 



Like his father, Sammy was a good guy. We weren't close friends but we shared many good basketball games together at Willowbranch Park when we were teenagers. My sincere condolences and deepest sympathies to his family and may knowing that he with God bring you some comfort for your loss. RIP Sammy.

So much true love for this man and his family. We will always be grateful for our time with you (...and it was ALOT)!

Our hearts are broken
Caroline, Robert, Jake & DeAnna Still

I’m Norma Buffone. I started going to WhiteWay Deli in the 80’s for the wonderful food , however the thing that kept me going there was the wonderful experience of being greeted by Sam his family and lovely wife. Sam knew no stranger. He was always friendly, jovial and truly wanted his customers to be happy and have a great experience at his restaurant. He will be missed. 

Martha and I are blessed with the many fond memories of Sammy and crew at the best deli in town. Always looked forward to lunch knowing the food was always great but the real treat was seeing Sammy and catching up on the latest news.  Sammy will be  missed for sure but he left this world a little better with a life well lived. Blessings and peace to Hanan and family.

Sweet Sammy -- and Family, How fun for me to have introduced my husband to Sammy only to find out Sammy's dad and David's grandfather went way back to the development of Whiteway Corner.  Sammy fed all of us in high school.   It was definitely the highlight of our day to leave school and eat lunch with Sammy and his family.  What a true gem of our community and Avondale.  His mounds of photos and so many generations of photos he collected over the years. We love y'all and will keep you in our prayers in the coming days and weeks as we will all truly miss this bigger than life soul! Patti, David, Andrew & Matthew Price

I've know Sammy for over 40 years.  Always kind, always a positive attitude, always patient.  A truly kind soul to all he met.
He will be missed.  Blessing to all of his family, and may your faith and your memories of him give you comfort.
Danny Soud


It's difficult to imagine raising our four children without Sammy, Hanan, Anne, Whiteways...the gracious hospitality coupled with delicious food saved us time and again when I just couldn't make one more meal. It's almost impossible to imagine a Jacksonville without Sammy. Marked by kindness and compassion, ready with stories that could make us all smile, and quick on the camera to capture moments both big and small - Sammy was one of a kind. We are so grateful that the Salem story was woven into our marriage and family and we grieve the loss of such an amazing man. 
May God wrap each of you in His tender arms in comfort and may Sammy's light continue to shine brightly.

John 16:22 - Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

I was so sorry to hear about Sammy.
Just as you said he was the nicest of peoples and grew his deli at Park and King into an institution that will be fondly remembered by all the generations that were loyal customers and close friends. In later years after selling his business I would run into Sam  on his bike on the Riverwalk and it was always so nice to reminisce. I’m sure my brother Chad and others will welcome Sam to heaven with open arms. May God bring you all peace and comfort in this difficult time.
David Nussbaum and family…

He was a blessing to all that me met. Condolences to his family.

I frequented Whiteway many times and Sam was always so fun and jovial. He remembered all his regulars and was always quick with a joke and a twinkle in his eye. 
So sorry for your loss. He was a great man. 

Sam was a great friend to many and we were classmates at Lee High school.  Great to see his success at the Whiteway and the fine service he and his family provided to our community.  Always treated you with a smile, a kind word or greeting.  As classmates we and others enjoyed lunches in these later years after his retirement and sale of the Whiteway.  Rest in Peace our friend. Jim

Just wanted to let you know how heartbroken I am on the death of Sami.
Our family has gone to Whiteways for years.
Our Dad loved the roast beef on rye!!
I can’t tell you how many wonderful memories 
we have shared there with Sami and his 
Parents.
My sister is Fran Baker and we have been the
Numerous times and was always greeted with
Sami’s smiling face .
Prayers and thoughts are with the family.
There will never be another Whiteways .
Growing up in Avondale that is where we would go !!

Sam touched so many lives and always beamed a smile to all he knew and those he just met!  His photos, those you knew he took and those you didn’t, reflect his great spirit and love of people!  The memories are too many to count, but he would always throw some double bubble into my late wife’s bag or hand whenever we were at Whiteway’s!  After Jane passed, he delivered a box of double bubble to our home!  We put it on the kitchen counter and all who came in could enjoy it.  We made sure every one was chewed and bubbles blown!  My heartfelt condolences to all of Sam’s family and friends!  I am blessed and grateful to have him in my life!  ❤️🙏🏻

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12

My memories of Sammy and the Salem family date back to 1967 when I was a regular visitor to Whiteway Deli. Many years later when I visited the deli, Sammy remembered my regular order and always asked about my family. He was such a kind and generous man. My heartfelt condolences to his family. May you find peace and comfort knowing how loved Sammy was.

Mr. Salem was also a joy to see with a big smile on his face.  He made the world brighter.  My sincerest sympathies for his family during this time.  May you find peace.  

Condolences to Hanan, Paul, Amanda, and Ryan.   Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.   

I am so sorry to read of Sammy's passing.  As a student at St. Paul's it was a treat to be sent across the street and  pickup the teachers' lunch order.  Sammy would spot the plaid St. Paul's uniform, immediately grab the order, give the us a piece of candy and send us out the door.  He didn't just feed our community at Whiteway's, he helped make it better in so many ways.  May he rest in peace.

What a wonderful man…..introduced both Kitty and I to tabouleh which I still eat a pile of to this day. From the moment we met, he was always the nicest, friendliest person…..we loved our periodic visits to Whiteway……very sad to learn of his passing…..blessings to his family and close friends…..he was a good man…..may he enjoy his rest in heaven

It is the passing of an era when the Riverside Ambassador is gone. Who could forget the delicious sandwiches, meals and smiles served by the wonderful family at Whiteway Deli!! Sam and Family, you are in our hearts forever...



I’m remembering crossing the street from Riverside Baptist Day School to the deli every single school day after classes. Years later I had moved away, and on visits home I’d stop in for a sandwich. He remembered me every time, felt special always! May God bless and keep you, Hanan and all your family at this difficult time. 

Sammy Salem was a loyal son. I remember him working in the deli after school and when his father passed away, he was there full time. Sammy loved people as he greeted them every day in the store or watched them walk by the delicatessen. I can still see his mom and sister behind the deli counter. He loved to cruise around Riverside and Ortega in his Rambler, looking at houses and dreaming of the one he would have one day. His marriage to Hanan blessed him with an amazing family. He was so proud of every single one of them. They were the jewels in his crown. He will always be missed. 

To say we’re sorry is such an understatement, devastated is more fitting. We were reminiscing on how fortunate we were that Joe was assigned to deliver product to Whiteway Deli, on his milk route, back in 1990. How lucky to have had work turn into a lifelong friendship. Sam will live on, in our hearts, forever.  

For many years of picking up lunch for me and my coworkers at Philips Garden Store, I was blessed by Sammy’s warm smile and kind spirit. No matter how hectic the day or long the line, his peaceful presence was a constant. Scott and I send peace and love to Hanan and all of his family. 

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Sam was such a wonderful man who was always friendly, generous, and kind.  I remember in my High School days at Lee we would frequent Whiteways and he was so nice to us teens-I loved how he commemorated his clients with the photos he would take and put all around the shop. He was such a good man, and will be very missed.

I grew up across the street from Willowbranch Park until 1976 (when my family moved to Tallahassee) and I remember countless games of volleyball, basketball, tetherball, baseball, etc. where Sam was either my teammate or one of my opponents…but he was always my friend!

I remember going into Whiteway Deli many times (mostly when when his dad ran it), and I’m glad Sam kept it up as a neighborhood treasure for so many years after we left.

There were many other people I grew up with, who remember our great times with Sam fondly. I’m wishing Sam’s family condolences at this difficult time.

Sweetest, dearest, kindest man I have ever known! Rest easy with the angels, Sammy.  Love Elli

Sam was a major part of my childhood experience transcending into adulthood. He was the salt of the earth, a beautiful soul. Bless you my friend. 

So sorry to hear of Sam's passing. I have so many fond memories of the Salem family. Charles and I were in the same grade, beginning at John Gorrie. Sam, Charles, Billy Finch, Randy Roy and I were always busy doing something in the neighborhood, primarily playing ball of some type, or harassing their Dad at the store (he always had to chase me away from reading the comic books at the store). RIP Sam.

I grew up going to Whiteway… I remember Sammy would always let me go behind the counter and hide extra pieces of candy in my lunchbox. He was such a kind, gentle man who made everyone else feel important. He and Hanan even made time to come to my small graduation luncheon from high school. Our family loved them like family! He will be greatly missed. May the God of all comfort comfort you at this time (2 cor 1:3) . Love to you all. 
Camille (Pilcher)Carrier

Sam was a wonderful friend and true treasure to our family.  His smiling face always welcomed you into Whiteway with Hanan and Anne with our second warm welcome. 
What found memories we share of our ritual Sat family breakfast and the fun banter with the whole Salem family.  
We send our love and prayers, from Hal and I -as well as our sons Hampton and Davis.
May God give you all comfort during this terrible loss.

So sorry for your loss and one of our alums.  
  Condolences,  Randy Deveaux 
Robert E. Lee  class of 1971

Having a business if 5-Points from 1995-2010 I visited Whiteway often. I have the fondest memories of Sam. Such a nice man & Family. Thinking of all of them at this difficult time. Rest Easy Sam.

I’m so sorry for your loss. God rest his precious soul.   You and your family are in our prayers.🙏🏻

When I think of Sammy, I think of volleyball at Ortega elementary back in the day. I think of Sammy riding by on his bike and waving to everybody he passed. I think of his smile when you walked through the doors of the deli, and how he memorized your sandwich before you even put your order in. But mainly I think of Hanan. ❤️ what a wonderful couple, and how dedicated they were to each other. We will miss you Sammy. Rest in peace. 

There are no words!  Sammy was loved by all and he will always be remembered as a wonderful generous man with a heart of gold! He will be greatly missed! 

It is with heartfelt sorry that I offer condolences to the family.  I met Mr. Sam through his good friend Ken Kudar.  Mr. Sam was an amazing friend.  There was nothing he wouldn’t do for his family and friends.  We will miss him ❤️
Sibrina
Care-Giver of Ken Kudar 

Sammy always made me feel so special when walking through the door of Whiteways!! Also loved seeing him riding his bike in the neighborhood with that big wonderful smile on his face!! Prayers to you all and my heart breaks!

Dearest Salem Family,
Rick and I extend our deepest sympathies to you all of the passing of Sammy.  He was simply the best!  How lucky I was to be fed by you at St. Mark’s for so many years, and eating at Whiteway was always like going home.  Sammy knew our orders by heart and he always greeted us with a smile and joy and love in his heart.  Seeing your family and catching up on where all of the kids were was always the icing on the cake!  We love you all and please know that we are keeping you in your thoughts and prayers.  
With our sincerest gratitude and sympathy,
Amy and Rick Morales 

OBITUARY

Samir Boulos Salem

7 February, 1951 – 9 March, 2023

Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home

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