Born in Manhattan on July 21, 1931 to Antoinette and Raphael, he was the product of his parents’ reuniting. His father emigrated from Italy to the US in 1923. Right before the crash of 1929, Raphael called for Antoinette, his daughter Rose and son Joe to join him in New York. Less than two years later Sam was born. Being the son of immigrants, Italian was his first language.
When Sam was just a few years old, he suffered severe burns in an accidental fire that required years of skin graft surgeries, the first few experienced before he learned English. During this time, Sam forged a tremendous resilience. And this early childhood trauma became a larger marker of his personal history; his close-knit family and strong friendships, forged in the neighborhood, lasted a lifetime. One of these friendships led to Sam meeting his future wife, Adele. She was the first cousin of one of his best buddies, Carl.
Always a hard worker, he used his love of bike riding to become a deli delivery boy while he was still in school. After graduating from high school, he worked for a short time at the US Postal service and then decided to continue his exploration of transportation, becoming a NYC taxi driver and then a chauffeur. He opened his own limousine company in the early 70s, remaining self-employed until retirement.
Sam had his own unique life code. Asked why he geared his business toward a corporate clientele, rather than the entertainment industry, he’d speak of his dealings with two British rock bands. The shenanigans of the Rolling Stones had him threatening to toss Mick Jagger out of the car. He had much kinder things to say about the Beatles, including their short haircuts and an appreciation for their sartorial splendor. They wore suits.
However, it was his beloved New York Yankees that gave him the most joy. He was, indeed, one of their oldest fans, recounting the days when the Bronx Bombers were a “real” baseball team. Back then he listened to the games on the radio and in later years preferred watching the games on television with the sound off. He felt those that provided the color commentary really didn’t know what they were talking about. Never one to suffer fools easily, he would usually give them one month into baseball season to get their act together. Even during years with slow starts where they managed to redeem themselves it was simply a lost season if they didn’t make it to and win the World Series.
He was passionate about his love and protection of immediate family and close friends. And he had preferences for the simple things in life. A good cup coffee and a newspaper, a steak, a blended scotch with one ice cube… and those Yankee wins.
Sam was predeceased by his beloved wife, Adele, wo passed in 1996. He is survived by his daughter Mela Stevens, and son Ralph Gerbasi; brothers-in-law Ronald Minozzi and Joe Vieto; nieces and nephews Ellen Desmet-Sabatino (husband Charlie), Joey Vieto (wife Lisa), Joseph Gerbasi and Susan Corcoran (husband Dennis); and great niece and nephew Chelsea and David Sabatino, as well as several other lifelong friends and family.
Visitation will be held on Monday, February 13, 2023 at Frederick’s Funeral Home, 192-15 Northern Blvd. Bayside, NY from 3-5 PM and 7-9 PM with a Catholic mass to follow on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 10 AM at St. Andrew Avellino, 35-60 158th Street, Queens, NY. An interment will occur Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at St. Raymond's Cemetery, 2600 Lafayette Avenue, Bronx, NY 10465.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sam’s favorite Charity, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.frederick-fh.com for the Gerbasi family.
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