Sam Sais

Sam O. Sais, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to many was peacefully called to his heavenly home on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. He was 91 years old.  He was preceded in death by his daughter, Diane Sais; granddaughter, Regina Chavez Wyler; parents, Samuel and Francisquita Sais; sisters, Soila Sais, Carolina Pena, Della Salazar, Felicita Vigil, Carlotta Gonzales; and many other loved ones.  He is survived by his wife, Gladys Sais; son, Fred Sais and spouse, Jessie; daughter, Francine Sais Chavez; grandchildren, Carlos Sais, Michelle Sais-Lucero and spouse, Anthony, Crystal Sais-Shea and spouse, Jonathan, and Julian Wyler and spouse, Shauna; great-grandchildren, Mya Lucero, Mila Lucero, Jacob Shea, Ryan Shea, Thomas Shea, Gabriel Wyler, Daniela Wyler, Samuel Wyler, and Lorelei Mohammed.

Sam was born on April 27, 1930, in Casa Colorada, NM. He met his loving wife, Gladys at the Old Town Fiestas when he was 16 and she was 13 where they danced.  They didn't see each other again until high school.  In 1951 they married and in October 2021 they celebrated 70 years of marriage.

Sam attended school in Casa Colorada but when he got older, he would attend school in Albuquerque and return to Casa Colorada during the planting season.  He graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1948 and went on to Browning Business School and Western Business School. He was always a salesman at heart and spent the next 30 years working in sales at Bargain Town, Fain Furniture, and American Furniture.  At the age of 53, he accepted an apprentice position with the Bernalillo County Assessor's Office, completed courses at UNM, became a Property Appraiser and retired in 1993.

Sam loved to sing, play the guitar, piano, keyboard, and accordion.  In his younger days, he made commercials on radio and television.  He established a musical group, Sam Sais Y Los Amigos.  For many years they volunteered and played every Wednesday at the North Fourth Senior Center until Covid hit.  They also played at church fiestas, las posadas, birthdays, and many other events.

Sam was very active within the Wells Park Neighborhood and its Association; he was Block Captain and initiated the Neighborhood Watch on his block; he served as an election board official during many Bernalillo County Elections; he was active at Reginald Chavez Elementary School for Halloween carnivals, Christmas festivities, Cinco de Mayo, and even taught the children how to plant, grow, care for, and harvest a vegetable garden.  There was no challenge too big.  He owned a shop in Old Town, learned to make jewelry, he restored classic automobiles, and even flipped homes.

Sam was a friend and mentor; he had a wonderful sense of humor, loved life, was very wise and was loved by many.

A special thanks to the many individuals from Presbyterian Hospice Group, especially Adam, Melvin, David, Therese, Fabian, and Oliver, who cared for and befriended Sam for the last two years.  Also, to Antoinette and A.J. Lucero from St. Therese Church, who brought communion and the gospel of the Lord into his home on Sundays.

Pallbearers will be Carlos Sais, Anthony Lucero, Jonathan Shea, Gabriel Wyler, Donald Gonzales, and Luciano Sanchez, Jr. Honorary Pallbearers will be Daniela Wyler, Lorelei Mohammed, Samuel Wyler, Mya Lucero, Mila Lucero, Jacob Shea, Ryan Shea, and Thomas Shea.

A Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 3, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. with a Rosary following at 6:00 p.m. at FRENCH-University.  Mass will be Celebrated on Friday, February 4, 2022, 9:00 a.m. at St. Therese Little Flower Church, 3424 4th St. NW.  Entombment will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery, 1900 Edith Blvd, NE.  Because of Covid restrictions a reception will be held in honor of Sam at a future date.