Salvatore Gligora

Sam Gligora, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, entered into the presence of the Lord on July 4, 2025, five days before his 98th birthday.

He is survived by his son, Torry Gligora (Marlyn) of Columbus, Ohio; daughter Cheryl Gligora Chiapperino (Michael) of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and daughter Denise Gligora Phillips (Daniel) of Panama City, Florida. Sam was also called “Papa” by his grandchildren: Shaun (Gabrielle) Smith, Michael (Danette) Smith, and Jason (Tracy) Smith; Jeremy Gligora (Shannon) and Jessica Gligora Caudill (Aaron); Kristyn Chiapperino and Angela Chiapperino Martinez (David); and Nicole Phillips Rice (Darian), Daniel Phillips (Joy), and Joshua Phillips. And he was called “Great-Papa” by Cohen and Gracelyn Gligora; Anabel and Mira Caudill; Abiah and Jadon Martinez; and Daniel Anthony Phillips III. He had many nieces and nephews as well.

Sam was predeceased by his wife, Mary Louise Gligora (Morando); his eldest child, daughter Sharon Gligora Smith (Richard); his son-in-law, Richard Smith; his parents, Constantino and Anna Gligora (Madaffare); and all of his siblings: Elizabeth Gligora Coletta (Joseph), Joseph Gligora (Anna), Mamie “Mickey” Gligora Brusone (Michael), Antonette Gligora Cangelosi (John), Anthony Gligora (Frances), and Benjamin Gligora (Marjorie).

Sam was born on the family’s Portland, New York, farm on July 9, 1927. He worked with his siblings on their parents’ farm, which produced tomatoes and grapes. He graduated from Brocton High School in 1944 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1946, serving in Belgium. His role was to manage German prisoners of war on cooking detail at the officer’s club.

Upon returning home in 1947, Sam married Mary Lou on July 12, and they moved to the Erie, PA, area, where Sam secured employment as a machinist at General Electric. In addition to a 35-year career there, Sam’s eclectic work included owning and operating a seafood restaurant and a meat/grocery market, and partnering with Mary Lou in managing a convenience store. In more recent years, Sam excelled as a sales rep for Rainsoft Water Systems and Prime Meats.

Known by family and friends as a steady, dependable, quiet man, Sam’s Christian faith and passion for God’s Word were focal points of his long life. He was fully devoted to his precious Lord and Savior and spent much time caring for the people in his church in various capacities, including Sunday School superintendent, adult Sunday school teacher, and a board member. Every summer, Sam and Mary Lou used their summer vacation to run the kitchen at their church organization’s camp in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania.

In 2019, after building a life and raising a family in Erie for 72 years, Sam and Mary Lou sold their home and moved to Columbus, Ohio, where they lived in a senior condo. In his humble, gentle way, Dad provided loving care for Mom during her decline into dementia, with daily support from Torry and Marlyn. After Mom passed in late 2021, Sam found comfort and strength, as always, spending time in God’s Word every morning. Another favorite activity was livestreaming services at Christian Assembly, enjoying Bible teaching from his two favorite pastors—his son and grandson. “Your brother is the best Bible teacher in the world,” Dad told us often. He meant it.

In his quiet, reserved way, Dad spent hours building jigsaw puzzles, working Sudoku puzzles on his laptop, visiting with family on his smartphone, keeping up with world events on Fox News, and viewing game shows. His great-grandkids often warmed his heart and brought a smile to his face. One of littlest, who cozied up to Great Papa every chance she got, “was a trip,” Papa would say with a gleam in his eye.

Sam lived for his final 15 months at The Grove at Oakleaf Village, where he received compassionate care. “For the staff here,” Dad observed often, “this is a calling.” But he did have to pull out his “secret weapon” contraband table salt from his pocket at mealtimes. He really enjoyed that precious salt, along with his chilled bottles of Sprite and his stash of Romolos chocolates.

We love you, Dad, and we rejoice with you that you’re with the Lord and that you’ve been reunited with Mom, Sharon, and all our other loved ones in heaven! We can only imagine what it must be like to be surrounded by His glory.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants. Psalm 116:15

A small family service will be held on July 11 in Columbus. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be sent to the food pantry ministry at their church:

Christian Assembly Food Bank 

4099 Karl Rd.

Columbus, OH, 43234