Salvatore Samuel Mele, Jr.

Salvatore Sam Mele, 1924 ~ 2011 Salvatore Sam Mele, husband, brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend passed away peacefully at his home in Salt Lake City on October 28, 2011. He was born in Sunnyside, Utah on September 7, 1924 to Salvatore and Rosina Oliveto Mele of San Giovanni in Fiore, Italy. He married Marjorie Jane Stringham on July 15, 1950. Sam and Marge raised ten children. The core of their relationship was sincere affection and friendship that centered on the family. Sam served in the US Navy during World War II. He received a Bachelor s degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Utah in 1951 and worked as a metallurgist for over 30 years. Sam had an amazing talent for designing, building and fixing anything - and a garage full of implements to prove it. He was also a skilled jewelry maker, designing and handcrafting jewelry for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Sam enjoyed the simple life - talking with Marge, gardening, bowling, golfing, eating Sunday dinners with the family, solving the daily JUMBLE puzzle and watching western movies and TV shows. Sam is survived by his wife Marge; his children Sam (Karen) Mele, Catherine (Dave) Harada, Mark (Julie) Mele, Helen (Jeff) Glenn, Tony (Janet) Mele, Mike (Wendy) Mele, Angie (Brady) Anderson, Mary (Raul) Campos, Chris (Andy Joe) Gonzales, Patrick (Kirsten) Mele; brothers Tony and Lou Mele; sisters Helen Ross and Rose Odette; 23 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; several cousins; and numerous nieces and nephews. Sam was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Domenic (Gordo) Mele and John (Pete) Mele; and his sisters Antoinette (Dolly) O Brien and Angelina Mele. No funeral services will be held. The family will celebrate Sam s life enjoying some good wine, great Italian food and boisterous conversation. Arrivederci Sam! Hobbies:Designing, building and fixing anything; making jewelry, Sunday dinners, westerns and TV showsOccupation:Metalurgist