Saverio Ciruolo

Saverio “Sam” Ciruolo, 91, of Topsfield, died Sunday, October 15, 2023 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Antinetta (Calitri) Ciruolo, with whom he shared sixty-nine years of marriage. Born in Panni, Italy on July 19, 1932 he was the son of the late Antonio and Michelina (Dattoli) Ciruolo. He was raised and educated in Panni. At the age of 17 he immigrated with his sister, Costanza to the United States on March 10, 1950, settling in Danvers. In later years he brought his remaining siblings and mother to the United States. As a new immigrant Sam was determined to make a better life for himself and his future family. He worked numerous jobs around town, including cleaning cabins on Rt.1, manually setting pins at a local bowling alley in Danvers Square, planting pine trees at the reservoir still growing today, tanning leather at Crease and Cooke Company, cutting grass and picking onions at local farms. Sam's hard work and perseverance gave him the opportunity to start several businesses over the years. Sam opened Sam & Joe’s Restaurant in 1956 along with his late brother-in-law Joseph Calitri. He was also a partner in the former Calitri’s Restaurant with his late brother-in-laws Joseph Calitri and Antonio LaPolla. He owned and operated The Crane River Laundromat in Danversport, Sam greeted all his customers with a smile and a red Twizzler. He felt fortunate to work alongside his family, and customers felt the familiarity of friendship and family in his welcoming establishments. Beyond the hard work of his businesses, Sam was a prolific gardener and his gardens were admired by all. Sam enjoyed beekeeping and shared his sweet honey with friends and family. Sam enjoyed bowling and even appeared on Candlepins for Cash. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, he even traveled to Canada to hunt caribou. He was deeply rooted in his Catholic faith and worshipped at both Saint Mary of the Annunciation and Saint Richard parishes. However, it was in his family where his heart truly resided. A devoted husband, he stood steadfastly by his wife and has served as her primary caretaker for twenty-three years. As a father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Sam‘s eyes sparkled with wisdom and mischief when captivating family members with old tales and lessons for the future. He cared deeply for his family and always ended a visit with sage advice, "Be careful on the road." In addition to his wife, Antinetta, he leaves five children, Anthony Ciruolo and his partner Judy Lavoie of Danvers, Lena Madden and her husband Tom of Wolfeboro, NH, Ralph Ciruolo and his wife Denise of Danvers, Nancy Hagar and her husband Mark of Hampden, ME, and Saverio “Sam” Ciruolo, Jr. and his wife Sandra of Danvers, and he leaves behind his seventeen grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, his sister Angelina of Danvers and countless in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends. Sam was predeceased by his sisters Costanza and Maria, his brothers Michele and Joseph, and his daughter-in-law Marian Ciruolo. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, October 20, 2023 at 10AM in Saint Mary of the Annunciation Church, 24 Conant St., Danvers. Please meet directly at the church. Committal will follow in Annunciation Cemetery, Danvers. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours are Thursday from 4-7PM in C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers. In lieu of flowers, donations in Sam’s memory may be made to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St., Danvers, MA 01923. To share an expression of sympathy with Sam’s family, please visit www.LyonsFuneral.com.