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Samuel James Mendicino August 14, 1927 – January 19, 2023 Samuel James Mendicino, age 95, passed away peacefully at his home in Gladwyne, PA on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, with his wife Beverly at his side. Sam grew up in Sewickley, PA, near Pittsburgh. His Old-World parents Thomas and Sarah operated a small coal mine, made delicious Italian food, and raised their children Tommie, Sam, Robert, Virginia, Rose Ellen, Carl, and Martha to be hard working, loyal, and independent. Upon graduation from Sewickley High School in 1945, Sam entered the Navy and shipped to the South Pacific in the final months of World War II. Following his service, he enrolled in Carnegie Mellon University, where he graduated with a degree in Architecture. With an irrepressible entrepreneurial spirit, Sam founded Visual Communications, Inc. in 1959, in Holmes, PA. The company blossomed into a successful operation with over 120 employees providing in-house design, construction and management for tradeshows, museums, and corporate interiors and events. Sam was always active. He worked hard, and he loved having fun. He traveled the world and enjoyed sharing his success and his love of life with his family and friends. He built and renovated numerous houses where people congregated and enjoyed great times together. His sons, stepsons, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends and friends’ children all have cherished memories of Sam teaching them to how to ski, waterski, sail, golf, eat oysters and snails, drink Tanqueray and tonic, and many other wonderful things in life. Sam was a force to be reckoned with. He inspired his family and friends to stand up for themselves, to recognize BS when they see it, to send wine back when it’s bad, to know what you’re worth, to problem-solve, to think on the fly, to adapt to new circumstances, and overcome barriers. He was fiercely loyal and inspired loyalty in others. Sam’s passing was preceded by his son Jim, his siblings Tommie Brenner, Robert, Virginia Schneider, and Carl. He leaves behind his wife Beverly, his daughter Betsy Forsythe, son Bob, stepsons Chris and Marc Roth, grandchildren Angela Hughes, Amanda Marino, Ashley Mendicino, Samantha Stedford, RJ Mendicino, Ezra and Rosey Shuman-Roth, great-grandsons Jack and Joe Hughes, an expected great grandson, his sisters Rose Ellen Mallon and Martha Thomas, and many nieces and nephews. He will be remembered for his unbounded energy, generosity, creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, service to his country, and commitment to his family and friends. The family will receive guests after 10:30 am on Saturday January 28, 2023, at Chadwick & McKinney Funeral Home, 30 East Athens Ave., Ardmore, PA 19003, where his Funeral Service will begin at 11:30 am. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to either Wounded Warrior Project or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

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Samuel James Mendicino

August 14, 1927 - January 19, 2023