Obituary for Sebastian D'Amato
Sebastian S. D’Amato, 97, known to his family and friends as Sam, passed away Sunday, February 26, 2023 at his home, surrounded by his children. Sam was born in Abingdon, Illinois and moved after a short while with his family to Jersey City, NJ. He was the oldest of 7 siblings. Sam attended Henry Snyder high school and was inducted into the United States Army in August of 1943 to the 357th Infantry, part of the 90th Infantry Division and trained at Fort Dix. He survived 3 World War II battles, Ardennes, Normandy, and Rhineland being injured in all 3 and was honorably discharged from the AAF in December, 1946. He won several medals including the Purple Heart.
He married his wife Helen (Casella) in 1953 and remained devoted to her until her death in 2005. They moved the family to Fair Lawn in 1964. His profession began in the war and he continued being a machinist until his retirement.
Most of his career was spent working at Bendix in Teterboro. He received the Apollo Achievement Award for being a member of the team who worked on the guidance systems for Apollo 11 and other Apollo missions. He was a member of the UAW and shop steward for many years. He retired at the age of 70 from Inrad Corp, Northvale.
Sam loved watching sports on television. He enjoyed watching bowling, as he was a member of the Bendix bowling team in his younger days, his Yankees, and his Giants. Although you could catch him watching almost all sports at any time. He delighted in watching NASCAR racing with his son.
Sam had a fondness for cooking, but when his arthritis prevented him from doing so he turned to coloring. He made 100’s of beautiful colorings. He loved to play cards…rummy, poker, solitaire, etc. and reading the newspaper every day.
Sam will be remembered for his love and dedication to his family and friends, his deep devotion to Our Lord and his kindness and generosity to others. Sam was a long time parishioner of St. Anne's church in Fair Lawn and a faithful Christian. The people whose lives Sam has touched and loved feel a tremendous loss, but now he has joined his beloved Helen, parents, sisters and brother and his Savior in Eternal Life.
He was predeceased by his parents Antonio and Christina, his sisters, Theresa M. Raffo, brother-in-law Mario, Rose D’Amato, Margaret Lemme, her husband Charles, his brother Annunizato D’Amato, brother-in-law Hank Cassella and his lovely wife of 52 years, Helen Joan (Casella).
Sam is survived by his loving and devoted children, Stephen A. D’Amato; daughter Jeanine Soderlund, her husband Eric Soderlund; brother Anthony D’Amato, his wife Maria; sister Josephine Cassella as well as many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, nephews and his 4 grand puppies.
He married his wife Helen (Casella) in 1953 and remained devoted to her until her death in 2005. They moved the family to Fair Lawn in 1964. His profession began in the war and he continued being a machinist until his retirement.
Most of his career was spent working at Bendix in Teterboro. He received the Apollo Achievement Award for being a member of the team who worked on the guidance systems for Apollo 11 and other Apollo missions. He was a member of the UAW and shop steward for many years. He retired at the age of 70 from Inrad Corp, Northvale.
Sam loved watching sports on television. He enjoyed watching bowling, as he was a member of the Bendix bowling team in his younger days, his Yankees, and his Giants. Although you could catch him watching almost all sports at any time. He delighted in watching NASCAR racing with his son.
Sam had a fondness for cooking, but when his arthritis prevented him from doing so he turned to coloring. He made 100’s of beautiful colorings. He loved to play cards…rummy, poker, solitaire, etc. and reading the newspaper every day.
Sam will be remembered for his love and dedication to his family and friends, his deep devotion to Our Lord and his kindness and generosity to others. Sam was a long time parishioner of St. Anne's church in Fair Lawn and a faithful Christian. The people whose lives Sam has touched and loved feel a tremendous loss, but now he has joined his beloved Helen, parents, sisters and brother and his Savior in Eternal Life.
He was predeceased by his parents Antonio and Christina, his sisters, Theresa M. Raffo, brother-in-law Mario, Rose D’Amato, Margaret Lemme, her husband Charles, his brother Annunizato D’Amato, brother-in-law Hank Cassella and his lovely wife of 52 years, Helen Joan (Casella).
Sam is survived by his loving and devoted children, Stephen A. D’Amato; daughter Jeanine Soderlund, her husband Eric Soderlund; brother Anthony D’Amato, his wife Maria; sister Josephine Cassella as well as many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, nephews and his 4 grand puppies.