Tributes

Pawleys Island Samuel V. Suplizio, age 74, prominent business and civic leader and long time resident of Grand Junction, Co, died of heart failure at his home in DeBordieu on Friday, December 29, 2006. Born in Dubois, PA, he was the son of the late Paul R. and Anna Parrenzi Suplizio. Graduating in 1953 from the University of New Mexico, Mr. Suplizio was the university's First All American baseball recipient where he starred in both football, basketball and baseball. Upon graduation, he signed a bonus contract with the New York Yankees. He played three years with the Yankee's farm system and was named to the All Star Team each year. On the 1957 roster of the Yankees, his professional baseball career as a player came to an end as result of a severely broken right arm game injury. Mr. Suplizio did not give up his love for baseball and while successful in business, he made time to manage, to head the Jr. College World Series, conduct clinics overseas and to coach in the major leagues for St. Louis Cardinals, Anaheim Angels, Milwaukee Brewers and as late as this past season the Seattle Mariners. Sam's real passion was to teach young players and he took great pride in mentoring several Hall of Famers and potential Hall of Famers. Sam was inducted into numerous Hall of Fames including the National Junior College Assoc. Hall of Fame, The University of New Mexico Athletics Hall of Fame, The National Coaches Hall of Fame and The Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. Sam was a key player in bringing major league baseball to Colorado. He was appointed by the Governor to co-chair the State commission for the building of Coors Field and also served as a commissioner for the building of the new Bronco Stadium. Surviving are his wife, Caroline; sons, Samuel, Jr. and his wife, Kim and Thomas and his wife Tara all of Co.; daughters, Carter Anderson of Ca. and Cindy Mueller and her husband Peter of Co.; grandchildren, Kendra, Kaili, Tagert, Griffin, Joshua, Samantha, Tucker, Ryder, Sawyer; brother, Paul Suplizio of Washington, DC and sister, Ella Jean Reynolds and husband Jacques of El Dorado, MO. Services will be 10:30 AM, Friday at Precious Blood of Christ Catholic Church. A memorial service will be held later in Grand Junction, Co. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Precious Blood of Christ Catholic Church, 1633 Waverly Rd., Pawleys Island, SC 29585.