Sam Mandarino

Sam A. Mandarino, 91, of St. Joseph, passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2009 at his home with his loving family by his side. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 A.M., Thursday, July 16, 2009 at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 555 Delaware St., Benton Harbor, MI with Father Bill Jacobs officiating. Visitation will be held at the church before the service from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. Burial with military honors will take place at Hickory Bluff Cemetery, Stevensville. Memorials may be directed to Lakeshore Youth Baseball. Those wishing to send a message of condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Sam Mandarino Jr. was born on July 6, 1918 to Samuel and Anna (Marchese) Mandarino in Chicago, IL. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1936. Sam served his country in the U.S. Navy during Pearl Harbor in World War II. He married is wife, Alice on August 24, 1940 in Benton Harbor, MI. Together, they raised four children, Don, Bonnie, Janet and Scott. Sam retired from Whirlpool Corp. in 1985 after many years of devoted service and as Union President. He was responsible for bringing the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team to Benton Harbor Armory in 1946. Sam coached the Lakeshore Boys Baseball team for many years. He was known for starting the Lakeshore Youth Baseball Complex in Stevensville. He was an avid Notre Dame football and Chicago Cubs fan. Most of all, he will be missed by his family. Sam is survived by his wife, Alice (Yendes) Mandarino; Children, Don Mandarino, Bonnie (Larry) Miller, Janet (Don) Zwar all of St. Joseph, and Scott Mandarino of Stevensville; Grand-children, Terri (Rick) Schlee, Mike Mandarino, Karen Mandarino, Steve Zwar, Mitch Mandarino and Zach Mandarino; Great grand-children, Kali Schlee and Nick Schlee and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Anna and Sam Mandarino Sr. and his brothers and sister, Frank, Pete, Tony, Jim and Millie Mandarino.