Sam Altomere

Sonto Altimari (Americanized as Sam Altomere), born on August 26, 1933, passed away at the age of 90 on February 29, 2024 in Columbia, Tennessee. He was the child of Savario Altimari and Philippina Serafina Fabiano, beloved husband of Martha Leah Meyer Altomere, and brother of the recently late Carmelina Apostoliti (late Ermio Apostoliti). Sam was a vibrant, energetic, life loving person, who always made the best of every circumstance and challenge with which he was confronted. Orphaned by both parents before the age of two, he grew up as a U.S. citizen born abroad with his beloved paternal grandfather, Savario Altimari, and a paternal aunt in the small, southern Italian town of Cotronei. His beloved grandfather died when he was nine, when they were both stricken with malaria. Sam journeyed to the United States at the age of sixteen with his eighteen-year-old sister and only sibling, Carmelina, accompanied by a chaperon on a boat to America. When they landed in New York, she put them on a train to Chicago in full faith and trust that someone would get them to family in Gary, Indiana. Neither of them knew a word of English—but they successfully completed the first stage of their new adventure and began their lives here and thrived. Sam always urged his children to persevere and never give up. He was a testimony to fortitude, determination, and courage. His Catholic faith was very important to him, progressing greatly in depth and breadth as life continued. Sam is survived by four children, Donna Adler, Phyliss Rollins (late beloved Charles Rollins), Sam Altomere (wife, Cathy), and Tom Altomere (beloved wife and sister to the sisters, Irene); eight grandchildren, John Elmore (Charlotte), Sonto (a/k/a Sammy) Hansen (Casey), Lucia Elena Adler Hacker (beloved husband, Ethan), Tommy Altomere, Jr. (beloved wife, Lorena), Maggie Altomere, Kimberly Altomere, Rebecca (Altomere) Maher (husband, Danny), and Lauren Altomere; and four great grandchildren, Jonah Altomere, Nils Magnus Altomere, Braden Maher, and Robert Maher. He is also survived, mourned, and missed by three brothers-in-law and their wives who became, over the sixty-six years of his marriage to Martha, his beloved brothers and sisters. They are William Alan Meyer (beloved wife Frances), Lynn Clare Meyer (late Janice), and David Bruce Meyer (beloved wife Corliss). A fourth brother-in-law who also became as close as a brother was the late Karl Richard Meyer (late Mary Ann). These brothers (with Martha) are the children of the late Willam C.C. Meyer and Mabel Clara Meyer and the parents of a host of nieces and nephews who will miss him.

Sam Altomere

August 26, 1933 - February 29, 2024