Sam Restituto

After a very long and active life, Sam Restituto passed away on November 14, 2023, at the age of 97.

Sam was born August 7, 1926 in Bakersfield, CA to Geri and Anne Restituto. He attended Fremont Elementary School, Emerson Jr. High, and Kern County Union High School. While in his junior year of high school he became an avid car buff. After customizing a 1941 Dodge, then purchasing a 1946 Ford convertible, he realized he needed to make a change. In his own words, "I knew I had to get out of town or I'd never graduate." Sam made the decision to attend Brown's Military Academy in San Diego, graduated in 1943, then joined the 20th Army Air Corp. While stationed in Guam, he serviced B29's. After being honorably discharged in 1946, he attended Woodberry Business School in Los Angeles.

In 1947, Sam became interested in body building and started training at Babe Cantieny's gym in Bakersfield. He and Babe even traveled to Oakland, CA to meet his idol, Jack LaLanne, at his gym. Sam went on to enter the "Mr. Los Angeles" contest and won the Vic Tanny Trophy for Best Abdominals.

Sammy met the love of his life, Irene Balasis, in 1947 and they married in 1948. He worked as an assistant manager at his parents' famous El Adobe Motel, which was frequented by Hollywood stars, until it was sold in 1955. His continued interest in cars led to drag racing at Famoso and becoming a member of the famous Smokers, Inc. Car Club.

In 1957, Sam and his family moved to Rio Del Mar, CA, and opened Country Cousin Liquors and Sporting Goods with his brother-in-law, John Fiorovich. In 1971, after selling the business, Sam turned his love of wine into a second career as a sales rep for Gallo/Paul Masson. In 1989, a few years after he retired, he and Irene moved back to Bakersfield.

Sam continued to be an exercise and health enthusiast throughout his life. He regularly lifted weights, ran on the beach, and made it a tradition to go body surfing on his birthday at his favorite beach in Santa Barbara. But his favorite activity, by far, was bicycling. His daughter fondly recalls taking family bike rides through Golden Gate Park in San Francisco and the 17-mile drive in Carmel. Sam's pride and joy was his custom-made Cinelli bicycle, which he rode well into his 80's.

Sammy will be remembered as a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother. He was an eternal optimist and always upbeat, even during his illness. He was a man of honesty, integrity, and only saw the good in everything and everyone. Music was an essential part of Sam's daily life. There was rarely a time when he didn't have a jazz CD playing, and he frequently danced with Irene, his daughter, and his granddaughter. Even though he had a quiet demeanor, he was an inspiration to many people because of his strong work ethic and dedication to exercise and a healthy lifestyle.

Sam is pre--deceased by his wife of 69 years, Irene, and his son, Craig. He is survived by his daughter, Pam Bailey, son-in-law Chris; granddaughter, Amanda Theriot; (Caden); great grandsons Gannon and Everett Theriot; sister Celia Fiorovich; and cherished nephews, nieces and cousins.

The family would like to thank the various caregivers who took care of Sam during the last 6 years, with a very special thanks to Cathy Malone and her staff at The Park, where he lived for the past 3 years. They treated Sam with kindness, respect and dignity. We will forever be grateful.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association, https://www.alz.org.

Published in The Pajaronian · November 20, 2023