Obituary of Saverio Sergi

Canton, NY 

It is with immense sadness and broken hearts that we share with you the great loss of our dear father, Saverio “Sam” Sergi. He passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at the age of 81, at the Wilkes Barre General Hospital in Pennsylvania with family by his side. 

Sam is survived by his loving children and their spouses: Pasquale and Rosa Sergi, Frank and Marilena Sergi, Lisa and Luigi Vecchio and Michael and Amanda Sergi. He was blessed to be surrounded by his eleven grandchildren who overwhelmed 

him with love: Maria Lucia Vecchio, Maria Elisabetta Sergi (Leo Zappavigna), Angelina (Robin) Raphael, Elisa Sergi, Antonio Vecchio, Saverio Sergi, Mary Sergi, Giuliana Sergi, Marianna Sergi, Sam Sergi, and Evalina Sergi. He is also survived by two beloved sisters, Carmela (Saverio) Spagnolo of Potsdam, and Maria (Joe) Cufari of Australia. 

He was predeceased by his wife, Maria (nee Spagnolo), a younger brother and sister Michael and Josephine. Also predeceased by many brothers and sisters in law. 

Sam was born on March 26, 1943, in Plati, Reggio Calabria, Italy. He was the son of the late Pasquale and Elisabetta (nee Callipari) Sergi. Sam immigrated to the United States in 1961, by sponsorship of his uncle, Vincenzo Callipari. On October 27, 1962 he married Maria Spagnolo at St. Mary’s Church in Massena, New York. The couple were married 43 years and raised four wonderful children. The couple moved to Canton where Sam “The Italian Barber” operated his Barber Shop. In 1966 the couple started Sergi’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria on Main Street, where it still stands today as a landmark in the community. The restaurant has hosted numerous events and gatherings for many families and organizations within our community. 

Sam had a great fondness for horses. His passion led him to become a trainer and driver of harness horses where he further developed Sergi’s Stables. He enjoyed traveling the country with horse trailer in tow, not only within New York State, but also New Jersey, Vermont, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Ohio. He

frequently traveled internationally to Canada, where he raced at Rideau Carleton in Ottawa, Woodbine Mohawk Park in Toronto, and Blue Bonnets in Montreal. His patience and dedication came in developing young horses into future stars, which he had many. 

Sam was an active member of the US Trotting Association, Canadian Trotting Association, the Italian American Club, and was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church. 

Sam lived a life filled with the love of family and friends, caring for and helping others. His smile was genuine and open hearted, and contained the ability to overjoy any room. His love for others showed each and every day with his charismatic qualities. If you had the privilege to know him and accompany him at any table within his restaurant, you shared a piece of his joy. His smiling face sitting at his table will be greatly missed by those who enter the front door of Sergi’s. 

His children and grandchildren cherish the countless memories, life lessons, and hard work ethic he instilled in them all, not only at Sergi’s Italian Restaurant but Sergi’s Stables as well. 

The family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, November 2^ndfrom 7-9 PM and Sunday, November 3^rdfrom 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Lawrence Funeral Home, 21 Park Street, Canton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, November 4, 2024, at 11:30 AM at St. Mary’s Church, 66 Court Street, Canton. Burial will follow the mass at the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Canton. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to   the Saverio “Sam” Sergi Memorial Scholarship fund at Hugh C. Williams High School in Canton. The scholarship will honor a proud individual in the Future Farmers of America Organization (FFA).

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family by visiting www.lawrencefuneralhome.org