The Honorable Samuel Joseph Dantoni
March 11, 1926 — October 24, 2014
The Honorable Samuel Joseph Dantoni of Baltimore, Maryland, passed away on Friday, October 24, 2014 at the age of 88. Sam was the beloved husband of the late Marilyn Dantoni (Lucey) for 55 years. Sam was the devoted Father of Joan Marie Dantoni Harris, beloved Grandfather to Jennifer Marie Harris McDevitt, Kevin McDevitt (husband of Jennifer), Erik Martin Harris and Neil Martin Harris. Sam was also the beloved Great Grandfather of his only great grandchild, Ava Marie McDevitt. He is survived by his brother, Joseph Dantoni and his sister-in-law, Dottie Dantoni, niece Amy Dantoni and nephews Michael Dantoni, Joseph Dantoni and Timmy Dantoni. He was preceded in death by his sister, Betty Flynn. Sam was the son of the late Joseph Dantoni and Mildred Dantoni (Armsworthy).
Sam was a World War II Navy Veteran who joined the Navy at the age of 16 to serve his country. He served in New Guinea and the Philippines and encountered many tragic events while serving in the Navy. Sam was an altar boy and was strongly influenced by Sister Mary Kateri, a Religious Sister of Mercy who taught him at St. Gregory’s School in Baltimore. Sister Mary Kateri encouraged Sam to go to college on the GI Bill. Sam took her advice and went to law school and became an attorney. He went on to successfully run for the Baltimore County Council and the Maryland House of Delegates. He served on the Baltimore County Council from 1967 to 1971 and was a member of the House of Delegates from 1971-1975. Sam enacted many important pieces of legislation as a Delegate. During that time, Sam also ran The Midway Tavern across from Catonsville Fire House. Every Friday, Marilyn would fix some snacks for Sam to take up to the Tavern on Fridays. He enjoyed coaching baseball, gardening and fishing. In 1980, Sam became an Administrative Law Judge. Sam enjoyed politics and watching the news. But, his favorite show of all times was the Golden Girls and he loved Betty White.
Sam loved his grandchildren and had a very special bond with his grandson Erik. Erik adored his Grandfather and went the extra mile helping Joan take “POP” to the doctors, out for a drive or to visit with folks. Their bond was beyond words and Erik was Sam’s “pal”. His special delight was seeing his 4 year old darling little granddaughter, Ava, who would draw pictures for “Pop” and give him lots of hugs to let him know how much he was loved and how very special he was to her and to all of us.
A celebration of his life will be held on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at Candle Light Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. His funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, October 29, 2014 at St. Mark Chapel in Catonsville. Interment will be at the Crownsville Veterans Cemetery at 1:45 p.m.
Sam was a World War II Navy Veteran who joined the Navy at the age of 16 to serve his country. He served in New Guinea and the Philippines and encountered many tragic events while serving in the Navy. Sam was an altar boy and was strongly influenced by Sister Mary Kateri, a Religious Sister of Mercy who taught him at St. Gregory’s School in Baltimore. Sister Mary Kateri encouraged Sam to go to college on the GI Bill. Sam took her advice and went to law school and became an attorney. He went on to successfully run for the Baltimore County Council and the Maryland House of Delegates. He served on the Baltimore County Council from 1967 to 1971 and was a member of the House of Delegates from 1971-1975. Sam enacted many important pieces of legislation as a Delegate. During that time, Sam also ran The Midway Tavern across from Catonsville Fire House. Every Friday, Marilyn would fix some snacks for Sam to take up to the Tavern on Fridays. He enjoyed coaching baseball, gardening and fishing. In 1980, Sam became an Administrative Law Judge. Sam enjoyed politics and watching the news. But, his favorite show of all times was the Golden Girls and he loved Betty White.
Sam loved his grandchildren and had a very special bond with his grandson Erik. Erik adored his Grandfather and went the extra mile helping Joan take “POP” to the doctors, out for a drive or to visit with folks. Their bond was beyond words and Erik was Sam’s “pal”. His special delight was seeing his 4 year old darling little granddaughter, Ava, who would draw pictures for “Pop” and give him lots of hugs to let him know how much he was loved and how very special he was to her and to all of us.
A celebration of his life will be held on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at Candle Light Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. His funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, October 29, 2014 at St. Mark Chapel in Catonsville. Interment will be at the Crownsville Veterans Cemetery at 1:45 p.m.
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