Samuel Francis Lupica, 86, of Sebastian, passed away on April 8, 2016.
Born on Dec. 3, 1929, Lupica lived, loved, and inspired family and friends for the next 86 years. He passed away peacefully, knowing his eternity was assured in heaven, next to our lord and savior Jesus Christ.
He was born in Chestnut Hill, Penn., and became the second generation of his family to be born in the US. His grandparents migrated legally from Italy. They came through Ellis Island as many Europeans, if not all did in those days. His grandparents continued on to Chestnut Hill Penn., where his parents James and Josephine (Serianni) Lupica were born.
Lupica was the eldest of three siblings, his brother James, and then later his Sister Josephine. He was a great help to his parents, and spent many hours of his youth caring for his younger brother and sister.
He attended Springfield High School in Montgomery County, Penn., where he participated in gymnastics, his specialty being the parallel bars. His other interests included boating, waterskiing and fishing.
After graduating high school, Lupica attended Pierce College in Philadelphia where he majored in accounting. He had to work his way through college. He did this by working with horses, as a riding guide and operating the hay trailer at a riding academy. In addition, he worked part time at a local drug store to help defray college expenses.
After graduating college, he went on to work for Pennsylvania Railroad, where he would soon meet the future love of his life. Lupica initially started in the mail room with Pennsylvania Railroad, and one day he delivered mail to the desk of a new girl working in the accounting office, her name was Mary Theresa Carbo. It wasn’t love at first sight but a year or so later, in 1952, they started dating and a few months later were engaged. They married in October of 1953.
Soon after they were married the newlyweds moved to Flourtown, Penn., where Lupica had been transferred. Here the couple bought their first home and started the beginning of their new life together.
Lupica was with the Railroad for almost 40 years. When he was transferred, he and Mary would pack up and go to the next assignment. They moved several times during his career, they lived in New York when Lupica was assigned to Penn Station, they lived in Altoona, Penn., and finally in Philadelphia, Penn., where he retired. After retirement they moved to Lupica’s beloved Florida, and they began to travel extensively. They were fortunate to visit all 50 states, travel to Europe and to Egypt in their lifetime. Lupica especially loved Italy and Ireland. His retirement interests included needle point, stamp and model train collecting.
Lupica will be remembered for a variety of wonderful things: his dry sense of humor, his love of ice cream, his needle point gifts to relatives and friends, his generosity, his having everything and anything that you could possibly need in his garage, and his willingness to lend it or give it, if you needed it to use. But most of all he will be remembered as Mary’s best friend, lover, cherished husband and her partner in life for the past 63 years.
Services will be held Wednesday, April 20, at 1 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission, 12896 County Hwy 512, Fellsmere. A Celebration of Life will be held immediately following services, at the Sebastian Lakes Club House, 1101 Sebastian Blvd, Sebastian.
Family request in lieu of flowers, please send donations to Att: Father Sabas Mallya, To Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission, 12896 County Rd. 512 Fellsmere, FL 32948, (772) 571-9875.