Sammy Colonna
On July 15, Sam Colonna, age 23, of LaGrange Highlands passed away peacefully in his sleep at home with his family; beloved son of Todd & Laura Colonna; loving brother of Louis, Frank, & Bella; cherished grandson of Angela & Ray Sass and Arlene (Paul Voyne) Colonna and Richard (Joan) Colonna; dear nephew of Sam (late Barbara) Colonna, (late) Guido (late Sharron) Colonna, Terry (Kristina) Alexa, Dena Colonna, Christine (Dave Benes) Mamolella-Benes, Deborah Zelinski, David (Tiffany) Wurster, Tia (Tom) Chaloupka & Kimberly (late Joseph ) Dunne; loving boyfriend to Ghadeer Banimineih; cousin of Kristen (Tim) Becktel, (late) Frank and Vincent Mamolella, Kaley, Lara, and Olivia Severin, Alex and Briana Zelinski, Jake and Katie Wurster, Brendan Dunne & Graham, Austen, and Paige Alexa; beloved owner of his dogs, Bo, Jesse, & Holly. Sammy will be missed by all who knew him.
Visitation 3 to 9pm on Monday, July 22 at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside. Family & friends will meet at the funeral home for prayers at 9:30am on Tuesday, July 23 before processing to St. Cletus Church of LaGrange. Mass at 10am. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Sammy’s name to The Sam Colonna Foundation are appreciated. Funeral info: (708) 352-6500
They say being a Valentine’s Day baby means that you’re essentially a happy, just, and overall peaceful person. And that’s no better way to describe Sam’s personality. Chill, funny, laid back, and a go with the flow nature that left you questioning if he really just made that comment in front of our entire family, including our grandmother. Sam was known to be a quiet soul, but when you spoke to him you could realize that this young man was in fact not a quiet one whatsoever.
In all seriousness, Sam had an intelligence level that beat most 23 year olds. He had the mind of a complete entrepreneur but also incorporated a lot of psychology behind his words when you came to him for advice.
~a note from Kayley Severin, Sam’s cousin
Todd and Laurie,
I am so sorry about the loss of your beautiful son. He was so fortunate to have you both as parents. I don’t understand why these tragedies happen to such wonderful people. I pray that you have strength to continue your lives and that your pain will ease.
Patty (Pavlik/Danko)
To live in the hearts of those we leave behind is not to die.
My jesus mercy
So very sorry for your loss. Prayers to you and your family.
I first met Sam when he was younger and in Tae Kwon Do class. I was immediately drawn to his sweet demeanor, dark eyes and wavy hair. I used to tease him about how he looked like he could’ve been my son and that he should come home with me. He gave me the “WTH look”, forced out an awkward smile and took 2 slow steps backward.
When Sam was in middle school, I met him again. I was called in on an art emergency. The kids were working on stage sets for a school play and the art teacher was sick. When I arrived, Sam( my pretend son)was surrounded by buckets of paint and was in a bit of a panic. The substitute teacher was in a pickle and didn’t know how to direct him so I quickly took on the task. He was eager to do the “right” thing and together we painted a masterpiece! The substitute teacher knodded in disbelief and I think Sam surprised himself.
Years later, when Louis and Seth made plans for prom night, they were having group photos done. Like all the other parents, we looked on as corsages were being pinned and ties were being adjusted. I expressed my concerns about their safety and Laurie said, “if it helps, Sam will be there.” A huge sense of relief came over me. It DID help. Sam was the older brother; the protector. I knew that Sam had their backs. Thank you, Sammy:)
Thank you for all the wonderful memories that you created for Seth. Birthday parties, holidays, graduations, sleepovers, dodgeball, trips to the flea market, family vacations, pool parties, grandma’s golumpki, Six Flags and the list goes on.
Heartfelt condolences to you all.
The Briskey Family
I’m so very sorry to hear this, my heart breaks for your family. Prayers for you to have the strength to get through this very sad time,
Hey Sam. It just kills me to have to leave another memoriam on this damn page. I met you before I met Louis, courtesy of Brad. The things he told me about you blew my mind. But… in a good way. The 2 of you had hearts of gold and an intelligence level that blew most 20 somethings out of the water. But your love for people you welcomed in your circle was quite evident. I now get why you & Brad met and became friends. It was your love for people, wanting to see them smile, get along etc.. Than your brother Louis was brought into the mix. I remember Brad coming home after “boarding” (electric skateboards) with the 2 of you. He looked like he was hit by a damn car… lol. He says “Mom, I need your help. I was ready to take him to the ER. Brad says, “No ma. I hit a rock on the board & wiped out.”. Well I got his wounds cleaned up and said “Why are you riding those damn things in the dark? 1 of the 2 or 3 of you could get hurt really bad.”. Brad “We’ll be fine mom. We just ride & talk. Help each other out. He’s like my brother. Louis is too.”. I said “Well that’s good, but you still have to be careful.”. On occasion I got to talk with Sam. The boys weren’t in a hurry to go. Mostly because Brad was still doing his hair or changing outfits. After talking with Sam. I thought to myself what a peaceful, gentle soul, what a great kid. After I lost Bradley, you came to pay your respects with your family. I could see how hurt you were too. Your eyes said more than what you said. We got to know each other more after Brad passed. You & Louis would stop by to say “hi”, see how I was doing. I thought to myself, “Wow these are BOTH AMAZING, CARING, LOVING young men.”. You don’t see that in most young adults these days. But Sam and Louis BOTH are the kind of kids you want your kids to have as friends. I remember after Bradley being gone & talking with you 1 on 1. I would leave thinking “who put a quarter in that boy?.” Same as I did with Brad at times. They could talk — but after speaking to them you would feel so much better.”. Their hearts and love they had for people was infectious. My deepest sympathies go out to the entire Colonna family and Ghadeer. As a parent/mom that lost my son at 21. I wished this pain on no other parent…. we should never have to see our children go before us. But God only takes the 1’s he needs. Only the good die young. I’ve been told. You fly high Sam. Watch over your family. In my mind, you & Brad are skateboarding and happy. Happier than you’ve ever been. Yet, bringing peace, joy and love where it’s needed. I will miss you Bud. Keep an eye on Brad. Loved forever and always. Brad’s mom.
Sam, I cant come on here and call myself a true friend because I only found out that you passed away last night after reading Kaley’s post about her 2019. I didnt want to admit it but this truthfully hurts a bit, because you were such a good guy. I’ll never forget how we became friends in astronomy class. You found out I lived not far from you and immediately started offering me a ride home. Louis and I would race to Kaley’s house so that we could try and get shotgun. Often even if I lost the race you’d make Louis get in the back. I’d climb into your truck and you’d start blasting the music. You were so excited about your sound system, and you did it all yourself. When Macklemore released “Thrift Shop” we’d replay it and replay it in the truck. We’d get to your house and usually the first thing we’d do was watch lost or play video games. Not many people know this but there was a time that I was going to LT, yet traveling back and forth to Englewood, because thats where my mom stayed and my dad and I weren’t on good terms. You knew I had sickle cell and that waiting on the 3 cta busses that I had to take would cause me to have pain crises, so almost everyday that you weren’t working at Fullers you’d offer to drive me all the way from countryside to Englewood. Never accepting gas money, only a thank you. Thats the type of person you were and I’ll never forget it. Thanks for being such a great person to me 🙏🏽