Mr. Salvatore "Sam" DiMare

NEW HARTFORD - With broken hearts, we grieve the loss of our beloved husband, father, and papa, Salvatore “Sam” DiMare who passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at the age of 94. Born during a winter storm in a family friend’s house in Utica on February 3, 1929, Sam was the son of the late Anthony and Fannie (Piscione) DiMare. After the storm, he was brought home to his parents’ farm in Litchfield. Together, they operated their farm with dairy cows and a flock of 2,000 chickens. Sam cherished the memories of accompanying his mother on their East Utica egg delivery route. He fondly recalled his elementary school years at District 4, a one-room schoolhouse. His secondary education was at Sauquoit Valley Central School. On October 26, 1957 Salvatore and Josephine (Limbrici) married at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Utica. Always together, their love supported each other for over 65 years. Sam's intuitive nature and curiosity to understand how things worked led him to pick up many skills. Mechanically inclined as a young man, he worked at his uncle's auto repair shop/gas station. Fearless of heights, he worked with another uncle in the rural construction business building concrete grain silos; many still stand today. In the early 1960s he co-owned P & D Concrete, a septic tank fabrication business. In 1975, he started Sam DiMare Refrigeration and Appliance Service. For 45 years he worked as the sole owner and operator. Sam's repair work was the expression of his values: integrity, dedication, and honesty. Throughout the years, he created long-lasting relationships with his treasured community of customers. He reluctantly officially retired in 2019 at the age of 90. Sam was in tune with the world surrounding him, always observing nature's patterns and changes. Each season brought him many joys, including foraging catalogna and carduni in the spring and mushrooms in the autumn. For many years, he hunted deer in the North woods and Southern Tier. The fall was also winemaking time for Sam. Family meals were complemented by his meticulously crafted wine for over 70 years. One year, he and his grandsons proudly made hard cider with the apples from a tree his own father grafted; a memorable adventure. He gave his time selflessly, always willing to help his family and friends. Sam’s gentle heart, quiet strength, and generous love suffused every moment he spent with us. He leaves his loved ones, his beloved wife Josephine; his daughter and son-in-law, Anne and Tim Towne; grandsons, Zachary Towne and his wife Laura Mitchell, and Luke Towne and his love Isabel Santos; his niece, Joanne and her husband Brian Crowe; great-nephew, Brandon Crowe; and great-niece, Alyssa Crowe. Passing before him are his sister, Barbara, and brother-in-law John Limbrici; and his sisters-in-law, Sara, Anna, and Angeline Limbrici. Also surviving are numerous cousins. In keeping with Sam’s wishes, his family will commemorate his life at a private time. His funeral service will be held privately with Interment in Forest Hill Cemetery. Fond memories and messages of encouragement may be shared at www.EannaceFuneralHome.com

Mr. Salvatore "Sam" DiMare

February 3, 1929 - February 8, 2023