Sam L. "Gates" Oliva

Mr. Sam L. "Gates" Oliva, age 91, of Utica, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 3, 2007, in the comfort of his home. Born in Utica on January 16, 1916, Sam was the son of the late Louis and Carrie (DeLuca) Oliva. He was raised and educated locally. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served in the 183rd Signal Corp and was stationed in the European, African, and Middle Eastern Theaters of Operation and was discharged as a Tech Sargeant. As a member of the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC), he worked road construction in Eastern Tennessee and then attended the Coyne Electrical School in Chicago. On January 24, 1942 he was joined in marriage with the former Frances A. Cecere with whom he shared 65 years of marriage. In a clearly devoted union, the couple provided stability and values to each other as well as to their children. For many of his working years, Sam was employed by General Electric Co. as a foreman of the assembly line at the Bleecker Street location. Upon retirement, he pursued a second vocation as an audio/visual technician for the Utica Board of Education, a position from which he retired in 1981. Blessed with a sharp mind and an aptness for mechanics, he built and repaired his own radios. He was a ‘self-taught’ Mr. Wizard who shared his talents whenever they were needed. Everyone marveled at his unique style of mechanical magic and skill and will always remember him for it. His favorite food was chocolate, which he often shared. Endowed with an independent nature, Sam enjoyed his home and was most proud of his family. He was a communicant of St. Anthony of Padua Church. Sam is survived by his wife, Frances; his daughters and sons-in-law, Lois and Sal DeTraglia of Naperville, IL, and Karen Lowell her husband Scott, who was always there for Sam, of Deerfield, NY; his son and daughter-in-law, Samuel A. and Patricia Oliva of Nashville, TN; his 8 grandchildren; and his 12 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is his sister and brother-in-law, Fannie and Al Scheri of FL; his nieces, especially Anne Popeo and Denise Yourdon for their constant support; nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his brother and sister-in-law, Anthony J. and Florence Oliva; his in-laws, Angelo and Anna Cecere, Immaculate “Molly” and Joseph V. Montana, Sr., Josephine and Walter Salerno, Mary “Marie” and Angelo R. Popeo, Frank V. Cecere, Joseph A. Cecere, his niece and her husband, Carol and John Abdou, and his nephew, Joseph Montana. The family extends their appreciation to the staff of Independent Care Service, especially Carol and Debbie. A special thank you is offered to his caregiver Lola, and Sam’s niece Anne who was a Godsend and was so respectful and kind to her uncle and aunt. Visitation will be held Sunday (today) from 4:00 – 6:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Sam’s funeral will commence on Monday morning at 9:30 from the funeral home and at 10:30 at St. Anthony of Padua Church where his Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with military honors. Entombment will take place at Calvary Mausoleum at the convenience of the family.

Sam L. "Gates" Oliva

January 16, 1916 - May 3, 2007