Salvatore Pepe

Salvatore R. “Sam” Pepe, 88, of Princeton Street, Amsterdam, NY; passed away Friday morning October 26, 2012 at St. Mary’s Healthcare in Amsterdam.

Born in Amsterdam on July 11, 1924, he was a son of the late Ralph and Eva Mancini Pepe.

He attended Amsterdam schools and was a lifelong area resident. He also attended New York New York Military Academy at Cornwall - on – Hudson and graduated in 1950 from Siena College in Loudonville, NY, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology.

Sam was a United States Army veteran of World War II, serving from 1943 to 1946 in Italy, the Philippines and the Asian Pacific Theater with the 5th Army Special Service Engineers.

After the war and graduating from Siena College he was employed at G.E. in the Rocket Propulsion Lab. Nevertheless, he came back to Pepe’s Bakery to help his father. Sam then worked with his brothers at the bakery until 1972 when he became sole proprietor. He loved baking and was very proud when his sons, Ralph and Paul took over the bakery. He retired in 1986 but only on paper. He went to the bakery everyday to help his sons and to fix anything that was broken. “He was Mr fix it”. He loved his family and took great pride in his home. His main hobby was fixing anything that was broken and cutting his grass on the tractor.
He met and married Geraldine Wassel Pepe on May 18, 1952. They had a wonderful 60 years together.
Sam was a parishioner and communicant of St. Mary’s Church and was also a member of the Southside Veterans.

Sam is survived by his wife, Geraldine Wassel Pepe, five sons, Ralph (Vicki Liccardi) of Halfmoon, NY; Clement of Boston, MA; Paul P (Kathy) of Amsterdam, NY; Steven (Nancy) of Niskayuna, NY; and Charles of Amsterdam, seven grandchildren, Sammy, Allison, Nicholas, Dominque, Camryn, Chloe and Lindsy , two great grandchildren, Rhylee and Mack, two brothers, Alphonso Pepe of Arkansas and Ralph Pepe Jr of Florida and one sister, Dolores Corsini (Tony) of Georgia . Many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.
Sam was also predeceased by two sisters, Elizabeth Corratti and Vincenza Menditto.

Funeral services will be held on Monday morning October 29, 2012 at 8:30 at the Riley Mortuary, Inc. 110 Division Street, Amsterdam, followed at 9:15 by a Mass of Christian Burial, which will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church 156 East Main Street, Amsterdam
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Interment will be at St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Amsterdam.

Calling hours are Sunday from 4 to 7 at the Riley Mortuary.

Memorial gifts in Sam’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society, 260 Osborne Road, Albany NY 12211 or to Community Hospice of Amsterdam, 246 Manny Corners Road, Amsterdam, NY 12010.

To send online condolences to the family, visit www.rileymortuary.com.