Sam Lentine, 95, of Port Charlotte, Florida, formerly of Rochester, New York, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 1, 2023, in Port Charlotte, Florida.

Sam was born on October 28, 1927, in Rochester, New York, on his father’s 25th birthday. He is predeceased by both parents, Charles and Philipine Cardulla Lentine, and his sister, Lillian (Lentine) DeSimone. In 1944, While a Senior at Benjamin Franklin High School in Rochester, NY, he joined the US Navy. He was a witness to the testing of the atom bomb at Bikini Island. Following his time in the service he went to work for Federal Telephone Company transitioning the country to rotary dial telephones. While working in Wisconsin he met his bride-to- be, Clarice Larson. They were married in Rochester on May 20, 1950 and celebrated their 72-wedding anniversary in 2022. Sam retired from Rochester Telephone Company and was a member of the Telephone Pioneers and CWA Local 1170, as well as a member of American Legion Post 103 and the VFW. He was an active member of St Charles Borromeo Parish in Port Charlotte, FL.

He is survived by his wife Clarice, their 4 children Charles, Betty Ann Brunton (husband John), David (wife Mary), and Mary, three grandchildren Gregory Lentine (wife Sarah), Mark Lentine (wife Angela), and Christa Torrance, and 6 great-grandchildren – Zachary Lentine, Colton Lentine, Sebastian Garman, Alex Lentine, Luke Lentine and Emily Lentine. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and cousins in the US, Canada, and Europe.

We wish to thank Tidewell Hospice House of Port Charlotte for helping care for Dad during his final days.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 5, 2023, at Roberson Funeral Home located at 2151 Tamiami Trail, in Port Charlotte.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Sam at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 6, 2023, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church at 21505 Augusta Ave, in Port Charlotte.  Committal and Military Honors by the U.S. Navy, with entombment to follow, will be held at Restlawn Memorial Gardens cemetery in Port Charlotte, after the Mass on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, Mass offerings in Sam’s memory available from St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church are suggested.

Friends may visit www.robersonfh.com to extend condolences to the family.  Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory Port Charlotte Chapel.