Salvatore Galluzzo

Salvatore "Sam" Galluzzo, age 85 of Mountain Home, passed away on Monday, Oct. 3, 2016, at Grace Elizabeth Independent Living Center in Mountain Home. A celebration of Sam's life will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at Bud and Caron Adams' home, located at 450 East 2nd North St., on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016. Cremation was under the care of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.

Sam was born in Buffalo, N.Y. He moved with his family to Los Angles where he attended high school.

His working career started at age 13, shining shoes in the bars of Buffalo, N.Y. After high school, he joined the Army Air Force at the time of the Korean War. Most of his tour was in England.

He worked for California Water District for 30 years, doing all of the available outside jobs, ending his water career in the pump division, and monitoring all the water wells. At California Water, he was the Union President and was proud to be part of securing better pay for the women of the company.

He said it was the best contract ever given to the workers in the history of California Water. Sam also managed several bowling alleys in Los Angeles.

After moving to Mountain Home, he worked at the golf course, Albertsons and Walmart. He was always helping the underdog and protecting his fellow coworkers.

Sam's passion in life, next to his wife Sammie and family, was witnessing about his Savior, Jesus. He was very spiritual, helping and speaking at the L.A. Missions. He gave speeches at the schools in Mountain Home about the hazards of gambling, drugs and alcohol.

He was a reformed gambler. However, from his horse racing days, he met and befriended Mickey Rooney sitting high in the bleachers, trying not to be noticed. He eventually placed his bets for him.

To his last days, Sam would quote the odds and names of his winning horses. He enjoyed watching boxing with his favorite boxer being Rocky Marciano. He also enjoyed bowling and was one of the top bowlers in his Mountain Home league.

Sam's greatest satisfaction for life was when he donated a kidney to his brother, Joe. Joe survived for 20 years after this.

Sam and Sammie where members of the First Southern Baptist Church in Mountain Home.

Sam married Maggie McFarling in 1956, and they had two daughters, Paula and Cindy. He later married Sammie Fitzgerald in 1964. She had a daughter, Kathy, and a son, David.

Sam has two granddaughters. Believe it or not, one is Hollie (David's daughter), and one is Holly (Paula's daughter raised by Cindy). Hollie has a daughter, Valerie, and a son, Brett.

A special thanks to Charlene and Margerita at the Grace Elizabeth Manor Independent Living for their kind care for Sam.

Sam is survived by his daughter, Cindy Galluzzo, and granddaughter, Holly Galluzzo from Monrovia, Calif.; granddaughter Hollie Hill and her husband, Zak, from Eagle, Idaho; grandson David Fitzgerald from Spokane, Wash.; three sisters, Arlene, Agnes and Josephine all from California; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sammie; his parents, Angelo and Domenica Galluzzo; his brother, Joe; his daughter, Paula; his stepson, David; and stepdaughter, Kathy.

Donations may be made to any charity of your choice.