Samuel J. Sanfratello

Samuel J. Sanfratello, 77, passed away Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at Robert Packer Hospital.

He was born January 12, 1945 in Batavia, NY the son of Anthony and Theresa Sanfratello.

In high school, Sam was an avid sportsman and participated in wrestling, track and field, and pole vaulting. Sam earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from RIT and a Master of Science in Education and Educational Administration from SUNY Brockport.  He began his career teaching at the Wheatland-Chili Central School near Rochester, NY, where he also served as a cross-country running coach for 10 years. During this time, he served on the Board and as President of the Employees Federal Credit Union. In addition, he started an adult education program and taught part-time at the Educational Opportunity Center in Rochester for eight years.

From 1983 to 1987, Sam served as Assistant Superintendent for Business of the Sidney Central School District. With the help of his beloved family, he served on the Board of Directors of the United Way and as the United Way Campaign Chair while founding and serving on the Board of Dollars for Scholars and being a Boy Scout Leader. He also belonged to the Sidney Rotary Club, where Sam and his wife Audrey hosted a Rotary-sponsored foreign exchange student and he and his wife were foster parents. Sam served as Chairman of the Annual Chicken Barbeque. He also served as President of the local chapter of the New York State School Business Officials and on the Board of Directors of the Bainbridge Canoe Race.

Moving to our area in 1987, Sam worked his way up in the Corning-Painted Post School District from Assistant Superintendent for Business to Deputy Superintendent for Administrative Services. During this time, he served on the Board of Directors for the New York State Worker’s Compensation and School Safety Group, the New York State Association of School Business Officials, and was President of the Southern Tier Association of School Business Officials. He was awarded the highest certificate given to school business officials for his service. He also served on the Board of Directors and as Executive Director of the William Glasser Choice Community Project for eight years, working with jail inmates, area schools, and the community helping people make better choices. He was also a faculty member at the Glasser Institute.

Sam served on several Boards, including Corning-Painted Post Education Foundation, the Committee for BOCES Merger, and Spencer Crest Nature Center. He also taught taxidermy through Corning Community College’s Continuing Education program, school finance to aspiring superintendents and school board members, and was named to Who’s Who of Professionals. He served 15 years with the Glen Region Corvette Club, which held events to benefit local charities such as Meals on Wheels, the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, and the Salvation Army, to name a few. He retired in 2007.

Among his service to the Corning Rotary Club, Sam organized and fundraised for the annual Fourth of July community fireworks, served on the International Committee for 10 years, including one year as International Committee Chair. He also chaired the Foreign Exchange Committee and the Teacher of the Month Committee. He Co-Chaired the Watkins Glen Event Committee, and served on the Denison Park Gazebo Committee and on the Education Committee.  With the help of his family, He also volunteered for Salvation Army bell ringing, Camp STAR, and the LPGA Tournament.

Sam enjoyed spending time with family, hunting and fishing.

Sam is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Audrey, two sons Michael and Samuel, nephews Albert Knapp and Ben Sanfratello, nieces Laurine Rogers (Sanfratello) and Sarra Passmore (Sanfratello), brothers Anthony and Daniel and many cousins.  He is predeceased by his parents and brother Frank. 

At Sam's request, there will be no public services.

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