Sam Francis Adrignola

Sam Adrignola

The facts of Sam Adrignola’s life are like reciting a roadmap of history:

- Oldest of four children in an Italian-American family that struggled for survival during the Great Depression.
- First Italian accepted into the Swedish run tool-and-die industry in Rockford, Illinois.
- Served in the Army Air Corps as a navigator on B-29’s during World War II and the Korean War flying 54 missions and retiring from the Air Force as a Lt. Colonel.
- While working and raising a family he earned a degree in Engineering from San Diego State University.
- Led the team that invented the antenna system that allowed the Lunar Landing Module to land on the moon.
- Married to his childhood sweetheart, Anna Tangorra for seventy-four years.
- Father of five children: Diana (Bob), Carl (Sherry), Steven, Lucia, and Angela (Kirk).
- Grandfather of nine: Jennifer (James), Matthew (Blair), Michael (Kim), Nicholas, Tony, Samantha (Max), Amanda, Krissy (Danny), Laura (Darnay).
- Great Grandfather of Lance, Sedona, Harlow, Aston, Leia, Tobias, Micah, Aviana, Piper and Chandler.

Facts alone don’t fully describe a man of Sam’s depth and love. He dedicated his life to his family, his God, and his country in that order. He repeatedly would marvel at how blessed he was and wouldn’t hesitate to tell you that his greatest success in life was his marriage and his family. Within his family he was known for his wisdom, optimism, good nature, and willingness to give you a straight answer. To all in his family, Sam was most importantly known as a source of unconditional love and support.

To those who met him, he was like the heat lamp that brightens your world and warms your being. And to all of mankind he is the symbol of what is the best in all of us, the best we can strive to be.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Rady Children’s Hospital via radyfoundation.org or your favorite veteran’s charity in his honor.