Salvatore Samuel Spina III

Sam passed away peacefully on December 17, 2018 with his “Soul-mate and Chosen Love” Barbara Bucaro and his cousin “like a brother” Michael Spina at his side.

Sam was the first child born to Salvatore “Sam” and Rose Mary Anselmo Spina on February 26, 1951 in Chicago.  He grew up in the Mohawk/Larrabee and Logan Square neighborhoods with his three brothers, Tony, Freddie, Joey and their sister, Josephine.

After high school, he moved to the Forest Glen area with the twins, Bob and Dick Budzinsky.  He began working at Paul’s Arco Service Station at the corner of Caldwell and Devon.  It was here that he took his curiosity and fascination with cars into his profession of auto repair.  With this knowledge, determination and courage, he ventured out on his own to open Sam’s Auto Repair at 5366 N. Elston Ave.

He grew his business on hard work and honest repairs, developing a faithful clientele.  He was a person who believed in working and supporting his neighbors.  He made Sam’s into a neighborhood fixture for over twenty-five years.

During these years, he married, and with his ex-wife raised four daughters in whom he took great pride.

Sam believed in supporting the families and businesses in his area.  This helped make him well known in the neighborhood.  He could be frequently found patronizing his favorite local establishment, Colletti’s Restaurant.  After retiring, he relished meeting old and new friends alike there.  Also during this period of his life he met Barbara who became the Love that was missing in his life.  They enjoyed eighteen years together.

His survivors include Barbara Garda Bucaro; his Mother, Rose Mary Anselmo Spina; Barbara’s daughters, Jaclyn (Tom) Schaffer, their daughter, Emily and Deana (Jack) Caponigro, their children, Angelina, Anthony, and Angelo; his daughters, Noelle (Mike) Miulli, Ashley (Peter) Stein, Tina (Paul) Covert and the late Denise (Chuck) Dunlop; his grandchildren, Rachel, Jonathan, Alyssa, Haley, Ryan, Arianna, Angelina, Pasquale, Sebastian, Dylan and Anthony; his siblings, Tony, Freddie, Joey and Josephine (Danny) Prevendae; his uncle and aunt, Ben and Jan Spina; a host of cousins and countless friends.

A Celebration of Sam’s Life will be held at Olson Burke/Sullivan Funeral and Cremation Center on Friday, December 28th from 4pm until the time of service at 7pm.  Family and friends are asked to gather to share a thought or story about your memories with Sam.  In lieu of flowers, the family asked for donations to Anti-Cruelty Society (www.anticruelty.org), any no-kill animal shelter of your choice, JourneyCare Hospice (www.journeycare.org) or Trinity Services (csteele@trinityservices.org).

A kind and loving soul who touched many lives and left an impression on all he met.  He will be missed dearly.