Obituary of Samuel G. Colera

Samuel G. Colera, 87, of Jamestown, NY, passed away at 5:18 am Tuesday, February 2, 2021, in the Heritage Village Rehab and Health Care Center. A lifelong area resident, he was born August 19, 1933 in Jamestown, NY, a son of the late Adolph J. and Minnie Nazzaro Colera. Sam was a 1951 graduate of Jamestown High School and served in the U.S. Army for a short time before he was medically discharged. As a local businessman, he has owned and operated the family business, AJ Texas Hots since 1968. In 1978 he started an AJ Texas Hots business in San Diego, CA for a few years before moving back to Jamestown. He was an active community member serving as a member of the Jamestown City Council from 1968-1972 and was a mayoral candidate in 1975. During the 1960's, he served as President of the Jamestown Area Jaycee's and President of the board for the local chapter of the American Cancer Society. Sam was a huge supporter of area youth sports including the Jamestown Area Youth Soccer Program, the Jamestown Red Raider Football Team, Red Raider Marching Band and Little League and City Rec Baseball. He always said "anything for the kids". He was known as a very generous man. He will be remembered as a loving and caring father, grandfather and great grandfather who loved spending time with his family and attending his grandchildren's many activities. He had a keen interest in horses and enjoyed his many trips to the Fort Erie Race Track. He also loved taking trips to Las Vegas. Surviving are three daughters; Vicki Colwell of Jamestown, Debbie (Vern) Youngberg of Frewsburg, NY, Shirley Dietz of Jamestown, a son, Anthony (Tracy Carrion) Cafaro of Buffalo, NY, ten grandchildren; Sam (Jessica) Fitch, Christina (Sam) Salvaggio, Melissa (John) Ribbing, Joshua Colwell, Zachary Colwell, Roxanne (Geoff) Lanphere, David (Beth) Lanphere, Scott Frost all of Jamestown, Tim (Leann) Taylor of Gerry, NY, Dominic Cafaro of Buffalo, several great grandchildren, step-children, step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren. He is also survived by his two sisters, Dianne (Gus) Calamunci, Linda Calimeri both of Jamestown, as well as many nieces and nephews who fondly referred to him as "Uncle Sonny". He loved spending time with all his nieces and nephews and some of them considered him their second father. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife the former Joan C. Underwood Colera who died March 11, 2016, a daughter, Sheryl Rader, a grandson, Kevin Taylor, a sister, Carol A. Gullo and a step-daughter, Lynn Johnson. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a private service will be held in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Dennis W. Mende, pastor of Holy Apostles Parish will officiate. Burial will be in the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. A walk through visitation for family and friends will be held from 2-4 & 6-8 pm Thursday in the funeral home where social distancing will be observed and mask must be worn at all times. Memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, 1645 West 8th St. Erie, PA 16505-5097.