POTSDAM — Saverio “Sam” Spagnolo, 87, passed away Oct. 10, at Canton-Potsdam Hospital with his family by his side.

Sam was born May 22, 1938, in Plati, Reggio Calabria, Italy, to the late Francesco Spagnolo and Elisabetta Zappia. In his teenage years, he worked as a food buyer for his family’s bottega and delivered fresh fruits and vegetables to nearby towns. His business sense and dedication to quality earned him a reputation for being reliable and trustworthy.

On June 14, 1959, he married Carmela Sergi in their hometown. In 1961, the couple settled in Massena. Sam attended barber school in Syracuse and returned to open Tony and Sam’s Barber Shop. In 1963 and 1964, they welcomed their children, Francesco and Lisa.

In 1966, Sam and Carmela worked with his sister Maria and brother-in-law Sam at Sergi’s Pizzeria in Canton, where Sam was a barber by day and pizza maker by night. He opened his barbershop next to the Roxy Theater.

The couple moved to Potsdam, where they became active members of the community. In 1967, they opened Sergi’s Italian Pizzeria on Elm Street before moving to the current 10 Market St. location. What began as a family venture grew into a local landmark where generations gathered to share meals and celebrations.

He enjoyed traveling with family and friends, especially to horse races to follow his world champion standardbred, Dear Star. He also enjoyed local and professional sports, playing cards, WWE and reading the daily newspaper.

Sam is survived by his wife of 66 years, Carmela; son Frank (Maria) Spagnolo; daughter Lisa (Mario) Sergi; grandchildren Saverino (Nicole), Graziano (Juliana), Carmelina and Romano; and great-grandchildren Francesco, Maria and Domenico.

He is also survived by brothers Giuseppe (Antonetta), Pasquale (Rosa) and Paolo (Caterina), all of Cornwall, Ontario; sister Teresa (Ralph) LaSala of Potsdam; and sister-in-law Maria (late Joe) Cufari of Australia, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents; brothers Antonio (late Elisabetta), Rocco (Maria) of Australia, Domenico (late Maria), Rosario (Brenda) and Graziano in infancy; sisters Maria (late Sam) Sergi and Caterina Spagnolo; in-laws Michele and Giuseppina Sergi; and nephew Francesco, son of Domenico and Maria.

Sam was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Potsdam. His community involvement extended beyond his business, and he was recognized with numerous honors, including Potsdam Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year (1997), Clarkson University Hockey Booster of the Year (1998), Gertie Labaff Community Service Recognition Award (2007), Liberty Medal (2015) presented by Sen. Joseph Griffo, SUNY Potsdam Leadership Through Service Award (2015), Clarkson University Business of the Year (2018) and the Empire State Award (2019).

Donations in memory of Saverio “Sam” Spagnolo may be made to the Saverio “Sam” Spagnolo Foundation, 10 Market St., Potsdam, NY 13676.

Arrangements are with Garner Funeral Service, Potsdam. Condolences may be shared at www.garnerfh.com