Salvatore Carl "Sam" Cerniglia, 81, Independence, MO, went to be reunited with his loved ones on December 24, 2011. Visitation will be held 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, December 29, at Nativity of Mary Catholic Church, 10017 E. 36th Terr., Independence, MO 64052, where the Mass of Christian Burial will begin 1 p.m. Burial will follow in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Online condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com.

Sam was a lifelong resident of the Kansas City area. As a young man he was very active at Holy Rosary Parish and helped at the store his grandfather owned. He manned an Italian radio station and spent a year in a seminary in Chicago. After a seven-year courtship and following a tour of duty as a U.S. Marine in the Korean War, he came home to marry his fiancée Rose Saladino. He worked for General Motors for 35 years.

Sam spoke fluent Italian and loved his heritage beyond the point of return. He loved to travel especially to Italy, and enjoyed gardening and sharing his harvest with his family. Sam also loved Italian opera which he would sing along with. Nothing delighted him more than a dish of pasta, crusty bread, and a glass of wine all the while being serenaded by Pavarotti and Andre Bocelli. After dinner he was always ready to dance. The family went to nearly every Polka dance there was and Sam never sat down! Sam died with so many vivid memories of his childhood in the North End where he grew up.

Sam was preceded in death by his father and mother, Carl and Mary Ann (Vittorino) Cerniglia. He leaves his wife of 58 years, Rose; his daughter, Diana; grandson, Nicholas; and a very special adopted daughter, Mary. He also leaves his brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Donna Cerniglia; sister-in-law and brothers-in-law, Esther and John McMurray, and Karl Herman; two nieces, one nephew, and many great-nieces and nephews.

Sam will be missed so very much. Part of our hearts will be going with him.