Samuel M. Damato

Samuel M. Damato, 33, of Worcester, passed away peacefully at UMass Medical Center on Wednesday January 15, 2014 surrounded by his loving family and friends. Sam is survived by his devoted mother, Claudia Garofoli and her husband, Vincent Garofoli, both of Worcester; a brother, Daniel Garofoli of Worcester; and his maternal grandmother Blandina DeCiccio of Worcester. He is pre-deceased by his maternal grandfather Donato DeCiccio. He also has many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins whom he held dear. Sam was born in Worcester on May 30, 1980. He graduated from Saint John's High School in Shrewsbury in 1998 and received a bachelor's degree in nursing from Worcester State University in 2002. Sam devoted the greater part of his adult life to the aid of others, working as a registered nurse at Community Healthlink in the field of substance abuse, at Worcester County House of Corrections, in the Emergency Department at UMass Medical Center where he had his longest tenure and made some phenomenal friendships, and most recently for the Worcester Public School system. Sam was an avid Boston sports fan and longtime season ticket holder to the New England Patriots. Sam loved spending time with friends and family and had a true entrepreneurial spirit, always wondering what his next accomplishment would be. A truly inspiring person, friends of Sam will always remember that he instilled encouragement, laughter, and joy to everyone he met. He will be deeply missed. Family, friends, and others whose lives Sam touched are invited to MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon on Tuesday, January 21, 2014. His funeral service will follow at 12 noon in the funeral home. Sam's burial will follow in procession to St. John's Cemetery, Worcester. Those who wish to remember Sam by way of a memorial tribute are kindly asked to consider St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To share your thoughts and memories of Sam, please visit his personal guestbook at: mercadantefuneral.com