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Sam Joseph Biondo
Born in Detroit, Michigan on May 25, 1934
Departed on June 9, 2011 and resided in Grosse Pointe Woods, MI.
Sam J. Biondo, age 77, died at Beaumont Hospital in Grosse Pointe on June 9, 2011. He was born in Detroit on May 25, 1934, the son of Nicholas and Fara Biondo. He attended Our Lady of Hope School in Detroit. In 1956 Sam married his wife of 54 years, Mary Anne Schlaf at Our Lady of Hope Church.
In his early years, Sam worked at several different jobs, sometimes two at a time to provide for his family. He worked at the Goebel Brewery, T. J. McCarthy Co., and Altes Brewery.
In 1964 Sam began working at St. Joan of Arc Church and School in St. Clair Shores. Sam did everything at St. Joan - he was the custodian and maintenance man at the church and school; he mowed grass in the summer and plowed snow in the winter; and took care of anything that required fixing. SJA was his second home. He was a devoted employee, who during his career at St. Joan, befriended many parishioners, students, teachers, nuns, principals, priests and staff. He retired in 2006 after 42 years of loving service. He greatly missed everyone he worked with at the parish.
Sam was a private, quiet family man who was protective of his flock. His children and grandchildren fondly remember Sam playing with them and doting on their every whim. He was content sitting in his chair watching television in his later years. He liked to walk at Eastland Mall with his buddies and collected clocks.
Sam is survived by his wife Mary Anne; his two daughters, Fara Fach (Walter) and Mary Anne Dillon (Philip); his four adoring grandchildren, Eric, Lauren, Melissa and Matthew; and a sister Margaret Chirco. He was predeceased by siblings, Rosalie Munaco, Fanny Lafata and Jerome Biondo.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, c/o Congregation of St. Joseph Retirement Fund; P. O. Box 29; Nazareth, MI 49074-0029.
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Carrie Glaeser '92 (Miller) (1992)
As a student as SJA, I can remember Mr. Biondo's name being called over the PA numerous times throughout the school day. He somehow managed to mow the lawn, plow the snow, clean the church, repair all of the issues in the school, clean the classrooms every day, and clean up after the students who fell ill. It wasn't until I was able to reconnect with Sam as co-worker that I realized what a tremendous feat he had completed every single day. Sam was an amazing man, who took a select few under his wing and taught them about hard work and doing a job you were proud of. Nothing was done half-way when Sam was around. He was a great friend to many on the staff at SJA.
Ronald Day (1965)
I remember Sam very well. I worked with him and Ed Duesbout for a few years while attending high school. He was like a favorite uncle to me and the others that worked there cleaning rooms and and doing outside maintenance during the summer. Our favorite time was eating lunch and laughing in the boiler room and he was always interested in what we were doing. He was always smiling except when we got out of hand. I would see him occasionally after I moved on and he still always asked about my family and the friends we shared. After 50 years I can still remember his smiling face. He was one of the good guys! RIP Sam.