Saverio Viola Jr.

Scarborough  – Saverio (Sam) Viola, Jr. passed away peacefully at the Gosnell House, on March 30, surrounded by his family. Sam was born in Portland, on November 10, 1927, one of 10 children, to Saverio and Filomena (Rossini) Viola.

Sam attended Portland schools and enlisted in the Navy on December 28, 1945. During his service time, he was proud to be stationed in Key West, Florida, just outside Harry S. Truman’s Little White House. After leaving the Navy, in 1950, Sam married Caroline Hardy and settled in South Portland, to raise 6 children.

Sam went to work in the First National warehouse and drove trucks for his nephew, Bill Reynolds. But, the Portland waterfront was always a draw for him, where he would work in different capacities within the fishing community.

First and foremost, Sam enjoyed being around his family and friends. Each year, he would take the kids on fishing expeditions throughout Southern Maine. He also enjoyed deer hunting. On November 1, 1956, Sam was fortunate to bag the first deer of the year and was highlighted in the Portland Evening Express, for his accomplishment. Over the years, he was a member of the Italian Heritage Center and the Elks in Portland.  Other past-times that Sam enjoyed were going to Scarborough Downs and trips to Foxwoods.

Sam was pre-deceased by his parents, his beloved wife Kay and one great granddaughter. He was also pre-deceased by his brothers Joe, Pat, Kita, Ben, and Jack, as well as his sisters, Mary Mayberry and Tomasina Reynolds. Sam is survived by his brothers, Tony and Philly; his sons, Sam and companion, Lucille Demers, Willie and his wife Debbie, Ben and his wife Margaret, Gordon and his companion Brenda Jordan; his daughters, Brenda Howard and her husband Craig, Cindy Smith and her husband Scott. Sam is also blessed with 13 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

Visiting hours will be held Wednesday, April 3, 2019 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at A.T. Hutchins Funeral Home, 660 Brighton Ave, Portland, ME.  A funeral service will be held at A.T. Hutchins on Thursday, April 4, 2019 at 10:00 AM, with military honors. Burial will follow in New Calvary Cemetery in South Portland.

Expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of donations to the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, 180 US Route 1, Suite 1, Scarborough, ME 04074 or to the Maine Medical Center Gibson Pavilion, 22 Bramhall Rd., Portland, ME 04102

To view Sam’s guestbook or to leave the family an online condolence please visit, www.athutchins.com.

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