SILVER CREEK - Samuel J. Ark, 67, of Lake Road, Silver Creek, N.Y. died Tuesday on his farm in Sheridan Township.
Sam was born on Dec. 9, 1944 in Silver Creek to Samuel Jr. and Rose Marie (Gutillo) Ark. He graduated from Silver Creek High School in 1963 and from Delhi College of Technology with a Associate's degree in 1965. He continued his education at Bowling Green State University, earning a Bachelor's degree in accounting in 1967.
In 1967, Sam enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at the Whiteman Air Force Base, Sedalia, Mo. He achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and was put on reserve status. He returned to Silver Creek in 1971. Sam then enrolled at the SUNY Buffalo Law School and graduated in 1974 with a Doctor of Juris Prudence degree. Sam was chief counsel for the New York Carrier Conference for 15 years. He started his private practice in 1989, maintaining it until 1999 when he decided to go into farming full time.
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Samuel J. Ark
Sam's memberships included the Silver Creek Kiwanis, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, former member of the Cornell Board of Directors Cooperative Extension in Jamestown, and a committee member of the Na-tional Grape Cooperative, Westfield N.Y.
He enjoyed photography, architecture, listening to jazz, gardening and modern technology. To sum it up, Sam loved his family, friends and his farm!
Sam is survived by his wife of 43 years, Mary Patricia (Paglia) Ark; a daughter Adrienne P. (Philip) Farugia of West Seneca; a son, Samuel A. Ark of Williamsville; two grand-daughters, Maria and Sofia Farugia; and a sister, Patri-cia (James) Ortolano of Silver Creek. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends may call at the Hole-Parker Funeral Chapel, 160 Central Ave Silver Creek on Friday (July 6, 2012) from 2-6 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday (July 7, 2012) in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Silver Creek at 11 a.m. Everyone is to meet at the church, please.
Contributions in Sam's memory may be sent to the Silver Creek Fire Department, the Sheridan Fire Department or St. Columban's on the Lake.
To send condolences, go to www.holeparker.com
