Ft. Myers, FL (formerly of Racine) – Sam Garbo, age 90, passed away at Hope Hospice Care in Lehigh Acres, FL on Monday, June 29, 2015.
Sam was born on January 18, 1925 in Racine to the late John & Emily (nee: Billardello) Garbo. He attended William Horlick High School where he met the love of his life, Bernice (nee: Klingenmeyer). Shortly after, in 1943, Sam left to faithfully serve our country with the United States Army 79th Division in the European Theatre during WWII, attaining various medals such as: the Presidential Citation, 79th Infantry Citation, Bronze Star, Combat Medal Badge, 5 Bronze Campaign Stars in Europe and D-Day Omaha Beach Badge. Upon returning from the War, Sam and Bernice were united in marriage on November 6, 1948 in St. John’s Lutheran Church – remaining deeply in love with each other for 62 years until Bernice passed away in 2009.
After returning from the Army, Sam became co-owner of Garbo Motors (along with his brothers, Santo and Marshall) where he remained until 1966. Sam was also owner / operator of Starwood Products until retiring to Ft. Myers, Florida in 1985. Sam’s devotion to his loving wife, Bernice; spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; along with enjoying his life with his brothers and sisters is what Sam cherished most in life.
Surviving are his sons, Dennis Garbo and Gary (Dawn) Garbo, all of Ft. Myers, FL; daughter, Linda (Michael) Fox of Racine; grandchildren, Michael (Amy) Garbo, Mark Garbo, Martin (Ashley Cook) Garbo, Sean Fox and Abby Fox; great-grandchildren, Madelyn, Alex, Dominic and Matthew Garbo; and Landon Bell; sister, Mary Wicklund; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends – too numerous to mention all by name.
In addition to his parents, Sam was preceded in death by his loving wife, Bernice; grandson, Mathew Garbo; brothers, Santo and Marshall Garbo; sisters, Angeline Grimm and Josephine (Walter) Chovan; sisters-in-law, Mary Garbo and Monica Garbo-Principe; and brother-in-law, Bud Wicklund.
Funeral services will be held in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Thursday, July 2, 2015 at 12:00 noon with Rev. David Farina officiating. Entombment, with military honors, will take place in Graceland Cemetery. A life celebration luncheon will follow. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Thursday from 11 am – 12 noon.
Linda Groth says
Dear Garbo Family,
Prayers are with you as your precious dad is laid to rest. What special contributions to the church and community he made. God bless him for serving in the military too. Linda and I were classmates at Lutheran High, and fellow Lutheran Girl Pioneers in grade school! My folks live in Venice, Florida, several months of the year, so I’ve been in Ft. Myers and Lehigh Acres many times. Such a small world! May the hope and certainty of a glad reunion in heaven give you peace. Treasure the memories.. I wish I could have been at the funeral, but flew back to Texas 7/1. I pray all went well. God be with you.