Obituary of Sabatino "Sam" J. Bolognese

Sabatino “Sam” Bolognese LYNN – Sabatino “Sam” Bolognese, 75, beloved husband of Lucille (Porzio) Bolognese of Lynn, died peacefully on Saturday February 28, 2015 at the Mass General Hospital in Boston, while in the comforting presence of his family. Born in Boston, he was the son of the late Ottavio and Lucy (Amoroso) Bolognese. He grew up in East Boston and graduated from Christopher Columbus High School, Class of 1957, in the North End of Boston. He continued his education graduating from Salem State University with a masters degree in education, with a specialty in administration special education. While working for the Massachusetts Department of Education, he was instrumental in developing the current law and regulations of Chapter 766 concerning Special Education in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He worked for several school districts, and was noted as an Assistant Superintendant in Melrose, and Director of Special Education in other communities including Marlboro, Rockport, and Nahant, as well as North Reading where he last worked before retiring in 2002. During the 1970’s Sam worked for the East Boston Social Centers and was a Counselor and Director of the Summer camps for inner-city kids in Westford, MA. He was a member of many organizations including the Lions Club of Ipswich, Salem State Alumni and Christopher Columbus Alumni. He was an avid reader, enjoyed cooking and gardening, and was a protégé and fan of “This Old House” as he applied his many gifts and talents to “Do it Yourself” projects. Through the years, Mr. Bolognese shared his gifts with numerous students and was a tremendous resource for troubled teens; yet, his most passionate pursuits were his devotion to family, especially his cherished grandchildren. Throughout his entire life, Sam touched many people, and in so doing, left this world a much better place. He is survived by his wife Lucille (Porzio) Bolognese of Lynn, with whom he shared 36 years of marriage; a son and daughter, Steven Bolognese & his wife Paula of Burlington and Susan Bolognese Van Campen & her husband Rick of Danvers; two step-sons, Rick Battaglia & his wife Janet of Lynn, David Battaglia & his wife Andrea of Lynnfield; two Foster sons Eddie Sylvia & his wife Debbie of Bowdoinham, ME and Billy Sylvia & his wife Karen of PA; 11 grandchildren, Matthew & Rachel Bolognese of Burlington, Olivia, Ricky & Sarah Van Campen of Danvers, Lauren & Danielle Battaglia of Lynn, Ryan, Evan & Megan Battaglia of Lynnfield, and Simone Sylvia of ME; a brother, Ottavio “Pep” Bolognese & his wife Maureen of Swampscott and their children David of Marblehead and Nicole of NJ; two sisters, Sr. Lucy (Mary) Bolognese, O.Carm with Marion Manor in Boston, and Angela Bouteldja & her husband Hamid of Deerfield, MA. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather on Saturday March 7, 2015 at 9 AM from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 AM in Our Lady of Assumption Church, Lynnfield. A visitation will be held on Friday from 4 – 8 P.M. in the funeral home. Cremation will take place after the Mass. Expressions of sympathy may be made to either the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 or to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105 www.stjude.org