Poland - There will be a Mass of Christian Burial held on Monday, January 4, 2015 at 10:00 am at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1125 Turin Ave., Youngstown, with Father Michael Swierz officiating, preceded by a 9:15 am prayer service held at the Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman, for Salvatore "Sam" Traficanti, 87, of Poland, who peacefully passed away Tuesday evening, December 29, 2015 with his loving family at his bedside. Sam will always be remembered and loved by his family and many friends for being proud of his Italian Heritage, his strong work ethic and generous personality. Sam was born August 11, 1928, in Marane, province de L'Aquila, Abruzzi, Italy and was the son of Panfilo and Incornada (Centofanti) Traficanti. Sam at the age of 8 years old along with his mother took the journey from Italy and came to Ellis Island. Upon moving to America the family settled in Struthers and then later moved to Poland. Sam attended Struthers High School and then enlisted in the United States Navy on May 14, 1946 to serve and defend our country aboard Aircraft Carrier, USS Midway! He earned the rank of third class petty officer and during World War II was an interpreter for American forces in Naples, Italy. While aboard the USS Midway, Sam served as an electrician and was a Motion Picture operator! Sam was awarded the World War II Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal for his service and then received an honorable discharge on March 24, 1948. After his discharge from the service Sam was employed at Youngstown Cartridge. He then owned and operated two City Service Gas Stations in the Struthers area along with seeing a vision and owning his first Truck. Following his vision he then grew his legacy to be one of the largest trucking companies within the industry which was Traficanti Trucking for many years. As always, with his entrepreneurial spirit, Sam looked to continue to grow and became co-owner and partner of B & T Express Inc. which covers over 48 states. Sam also was a real estate investor and had many holdings throughout the area, as well as in his hometown in Italy! Sam had many passions and enjoyments throughout his life, but his first priority was always his family and especially his son, Anthony! He was so proud watching him grow up along with being his biggest supporter during all his political campaigns throughout the Mahoning Valley. Sam enjoyed playing bocce, making homemade sausage, working in his garden and traveling over to Europe, Cuba, and mainly to Italy where he would visit all his relatives in their home town. He loved the Casino atmosphere and enjoyed all the trips to Atlantic City and especially playing craps. Sam also enjoyed gambling at Mountaineer Casino, playing craps, whereby, he was known as 'Sal" among many of the dealers, especially his good friend Mr. Jerry Riley! Sam leaves behind to hold on to his precious memories his wife of over 52 years the former Barbara Ann Jenness whom he married on May 29, 1963, a son Commissioner Anthony T. Traficanti and a daughter Jacqueline Ann Traficanti both of Poland. Besides his parents, Sam was preceded in death by a brother Tony Traficanti and his uncles Atillio (Joann), Serfino and Lorenzo Centofanti. Family and friends may pay their respects Sunday, January 3, 2016 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman. Entombment will take place at Poland Riverside Cemetery, Poland, and full military honors will be provided for Sam by the great men of the Trumbull County American Legion. Sam's family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation and thanks to the entire staff of the Cleveland Clinic for all the care and compassion that was shown to them during Sam's illness and a special thank you nurse Nikkie Bevilacqua, Family and friends may visit www.rossisantuccifh.com to view this obituary, sign the guest book, and send condolences to the Traficanti family.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial held on Monday, January 4, 2015 at 10:00 am at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1125 Turin Ave., Youngstown, with Father Michael Swierz officiating, preceded by a 9:15 am prayer service held at the Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home.