Samuel J. Fabiano

Samuel John Fabiano, born August 19, 1925 in Rochester, Michigan, passed away May 11, 2018 in Royal Oak, Michigan at the age of 92. Beloved husband of Gertrude (Schwager) Fabiano, father of Jean (Jim) Gardziola, grandfather to Paige and Mariah Gardziola, brother-in-law to Rosemary Schwager, uncle and great-uncle to more than 150 beloved nieces and nephews and his adopted McCabe family, who all remember Uncle Sam’s big heart and hugs. Predeceased by parents Joseph and Rose Fabiano, siblings Pasquale (Mary) Fabiano, Frank (Margaret) Fabiano, Peter (Mary Jane) Fabiano, Josephine (Louis) Folino and Margaret (Joseph) DeAgostino, brothers- and sisters-in-law George (Shirley and Carol) Schwager, Henry (Dorothy) Schwager, Elizabeth (Paul) Janness, Ralph (Peg) Schwager, Robert (Kay) Schwager, Eleanor (Robert) Raylea (Orchard Park, NY), Bernadette (Charles) Lowe, Virginia Schwager, Rev. Edmund and Raymond Schwager. Sam grew up in Rochester and moved to Clawson in 1957. While a linesman at Michigan Bell he met his beloved wife Gertrude Schwager and asked her to marry him two weeks later. He loved being part of the large Schwager family and was happiest as an Uncle to his nieces and nephews. After retirement from A&P, Sam volunteered for St. Vincent de Paul, where he met many wonderful people who became great friends. On May 12th, he was to be honored at a St. Vincent de Paul dinner for 25 years of service. He was looking forward to the dinner and was humbled to be recognized. Sam worked out three times a week for years. He met a group of “workout buddies” who also became his friends. He enjoyed the monthly breakfasts and often talked of his friends. He stopped going to the gym in December and truly missed his friends, and to a lesser degree, the morning workouts. He loved his granddaughters and rarely missed an event in their lives. All their teachers, coaches and friends knew him and most called him “Da”. He wore his University of Michigan Grandpa shirt and his Navy ball cap often so people would give him an opportunity (not that he needed it) to talk about his grandchildren. Visitation Friday, May 18, 2018 from 3-8 p.m. with a 7 p.m. Rosary at the Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 705 W 11 Mile Road (4 blocks E of Woodward), Royal Oak, MI 48067. In state Saturday, May 19, 2018 from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass 10:30 a.m. at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, 581 E 14 Mile Road, Clawson, MI 48017. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations in Sam’s name to the Guardian Angels Church St. Vincent de Paul Society in 581 E. Mile Rd. Clawson, MI 48017.

Samuel J. Fabiano

August 19, 1925 - May 11, 2018