Sebastian Vittoria

Sebastian "Sam" Vittoria (80) of Falmouth died Thursday, September 10, 2015, at Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center.Sam was born in Avella in southern Italy on July 29, 1935. In January 1954, when Sam was 18, he, his mother and brother moved to the United States. They settled in Ambridge in western Pennsylvania. He graduated from Ambridge High School and then attended Bethany College in West Virginia where he majored in mathematics. Later he attended Case Institute of Technology and George Washington University where he earned a Master of Science degree in Operations Research. In 1960 he began his career at the Naval Weapons Laboratory (now the Naval Surface Warfare Center) in Dahlgren where he worked for 28 years as a mathematician, weapon systems analyst and branch manager. It was there that he met and married his wife of 53 years, Midge Vittoria.Sam was one of the original owners and operators of Sakura Japanese Steakhouse in Spotsylvania and later Kobe Japanese Steakhouse in Garrisonville. After retiring from NSWC, he started a home construction business, SAMI Construction, and later joined with his son, Dan, in operating Colonial Construction Company.Sam was an excellent soccer player. He played into his 60s and then retired from soccer to play golf (though not very well). He loved the race track and was an avid card player. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Elks Lodge and the Eagles Lodge.He was preceded in death by his father, Michele; his mother, Francesca; his sister, Caterina; and his son, Daniel.Survivors include his wife, Mildred B. Vittoria; two sons, Michael Vittoria (Lisa) and Anthony Vittoria; a grandson, Nicholas Vittoria; a brother, Carmine Vittoria (Anmarie); nieces, Michelle Livanos (Chris) and Caterina Lillis (Joe); and nephew, Jens Vittoria.The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 on Wednesday, September 16, at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg.A mass of celebration will be held at 12 noon, on Thursday, September 17, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Fredericksburg. Interment will be private.Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 4600 Cox Rd, Ste 130, Glen Allen, VA 23060 or to the charity of your choice.