Obituary

A life well-lived doesn’t end any more than music ends…it echoes through time with whispers on beauty and grace. If we listen, we can hear the encore with our hearts, for the song plays on, just as love lives on. (unknown)

Samuel R. “Sam” Contino, 91, of Chippewa Twp., peacefully left his earthly life on Sunday, October 8, 2023 in Cambridge Village.

Born April 10, 1932 in Beaver Falls, he was the son of the late Salvatore and Violet Contino.  Sam was a member of St. Monica’s Roman Catholic Church of St. Augustine Parish.  A graduate of Beaver Falls High School, he went on to graduate from Geneva College, the University of Nebraska where he obtained masters degrees, and his proudest achievement was earning his Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy which he earned at the Dana School of Music at YSU. He was the proud owner of a Steinway Concert Grand Piano. He loved giving private concerts in his home and giving piano lessons to many students from age 6 to 81.

He was also an educator.  He taught several subjects at his alma mater over the course of 30 years, but his main love was the French he taught for most of his career alongside one of his dearest friends, the late Senor Rick Evans who taught Spanish.

Sam was a Concert Chairman for Beaver Valley Community Concert Association for many years.  He was a member of the Beaver Falls Wolves Club, where he served as a scholarship chair. He was a member of the Beaver Valley Choral Society, board member and performer. In 2022 he along with his wife Judi were awarded the Founder’s Award “in appreciation for distinguished support of the BVCS”.  When not playing music, Sam enjoyed playing bocce at the LMBA club, where he was a member.

The only thing more important than his love of music was his love of family.  He married Judi Renkin in 2005 and became a beloved member of her family, including her 2 daughters, Kellie (Greg) Forkin and their 2 sons, Ryan and Matthew (to whom he was “PapPap” and Beth (Chris) Tirro and their 2 daughters, Isabella and Liliana, who was also called him their dear “PapPap”.

The love and joy Sam received from his second family filled his life with great happiness.  He loved them all, but especially his 4 grandchildren.  He loved them more than life.

Sam and Judi loved to travel.  They hosted 2 foreign exchange students, Cleyton from Brazil and Martin from France.  It is Martin who brought Sam and Judi together through piano lessons.

Sam is also survived by nieces and nephews, Kim (Mark) Roknick, Kristan (Andrew) Hapach, Kelli Palmer and Kevin (Heather) Contino; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

Sam was a true renaissance man, and will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Please do not grieve his death- celebrate his life which was amazing!

In addition to his parents, he was preceded by his first wife, Donna Rae; a daughter, Gilda Marie; and a brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Mary Contino.

Friends will be received on Thursday, from 5pm-9pm and Friday 10am-8pm in the GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC.- 117 Blackhawk Rd., Chippewa Twp.-www.gabauerfamilyfuneralhomes.com.  Friends for Jesus will recite the rosary at the funeral home at 7pm on Friday. Prayers will be held on Saturday, at 9:20am at the funeral home, followed by a mass of Christian burial at 10am at St. Monica Roman Catholic Church of St. Augustine Parish.  Fr. John Naugle will officiate.

Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Maurice Prendergast and Dr. Carl Sestito and staff for many years of loving care, to Cambridge Village for the tender loving care they provided him along with Promedica Hospice, and Dr. Brian Everhart for his loving care in helping Sam leave this world peacefully.

A scholarship is being started in Sam’s memory for a senior piano student at Big Beaver Falls High School.  In lieu of flowers you are welcome to make a donation to the scholarship fund.