HAVERHILL, MA – Jonathan Sam died July 26th in Haverhill MA after a four-year battle with cancer, he was 55 years old. He is survived by his father Samuel 
Sam, Mother Patricia Sam, Sister Jamelia Engel, niece Alexis Engel and Nephew Brendon Engel.
Jon was born in Dunkirk NY but moved to Westfield MA with his family in 1974 as a young child. He attended Westfield public schools where he was an honor student. As a teen he worked summers at the First Congregational Church, then at the JJ Newbury Department store in Westfield and Riverside Amusement Park. After high school he attended Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester NY where he earned a degree in chemistry. He also joined the Naval ROTC unit where he was given scholarships towards his education. After graduating from RIT he went on to serve in the Navy where he attained the rank of Lieutenant. During his service he was stationed on the USS Dubuque LPD8 at the navy base in Sasabo Japan and the Naval Officers Training School at the Newport Naval Training Center in Newport RI. One of his favorite moments was when he received his naval commission and got his first salute from his father who was a member of the Mass Air National Guard. After the Navy he went on to get a master’s degree in Paper Technology from RIT. In later years he went back to school at Salem State College earning a degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. He was employed by the Resso Corporation and then at Analog Devices where he developed training programs to be used to make the workforce more efficient. One of his favorite passions was the world of miniature figures where he and his friends would develop tactical games of combat with armies they used with these figures. He also enjoyed running in the many public racing events with his friends.
Now he can reunite with his beloved dog Mongo. He will be sadly missed by his family and the large group of friends he made during his lifetime. We love and miss you already, Mom and Dad.
Calling hours will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, August 7th at the Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad Street, Westfield, MA 01085. Military honors will be held on Thursday, August 8th at 3 p.m. at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA. Donations in memory of Jonathan may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215. Firtionadams.com
