In Loving Memory of Sam Thatcher 1937-2016

Sam Thatcher

Name: Samuel Thatcher
Home Town: Ocean Isle Beach
Date of Death: 06/05/2016
Birth Date: 08/14/1937
Service Date: 06/09/2016 at 10:00 AM
Service Place: St. Brendan’s Catholic Church

What can be said of Samuel Thatcher, a man who was the father of five kids and the grandfather of five. Sam was a tenacious and devoted man, quick-witted and tough, but one who quickly earned the respect of all who knew him.

It is with a heavy heart to announce that Samuel Thatcher, 78, passed away on Sunday, June 5, 2016. Sam was born on August 14, 1937 to Samuel U. Thatcher and Catherine Tyrell Thatcher in Brooklyn NY. Sam, a true Brooklynite down to the accent, would grow up developing a kinship to his city; it was a relationship that would toughen him, and that would advance his maturity. At 20, Sam met Helen at a picnic in Breezy Point and asked her to attend a marine ball in Manhattan. The lifelong soulmates married in 1960 and began raising their children in Brooklyn.

In 1968 Sam joined the NYPD, New York’s Finest, and was a dedicated and respected Police Officer. Raising his kids in Brooklyn was always the plan but New York in the 1970’s was not where Sam and Pat thought was the best place to raise a family and moved “upstate” to Highland Mills, NY.

Their new life in Highland Mills was a tough choice in the beginning, Sam had to commute to the Bronx everyday to his new Precinct the 44th and Pat had to adjust to life in the country. What a team they were and true to Sam and Pat’s personalities they quickly became part of the fabric of the community. Even with his commute Sam was an active member of the Woodbury Men’s Club, the Boy Scouts of America, where in 1980 Sam received an award for being “Troop 149’s Spark Plug”. He was also a parishioner of St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church.

In 2003, Sam and Pat, with the persistent love of golf they found in retirement, decided to move to North Carolina. It was there where they would spend much quality time together and make many new friends. They created a new life in the tight-knit community Ocean Ridge, one that the children also became a part of, but it was their own.

Sam’s children and grandchildren have memories that will never fade; how he jingled change in his pocket, the scent of cologne, the Donald Duck impression he loved to make, and his laugh that resounded through the house and in our hearts. Pop, you may now rest with your beloved Pat, our Nan, Nannie and live on through the love and laughter you inspired within us.

Samuel was preceded in death by his beloved wife Helen Patricia Thatcher, and son Michael Thatcher. He was survived by his brother William Thatcher and wife Ellen Thatcher, children, Marybeth Runkowski, and husband, Dennis; Kathleen Thatcher, and fiancé, Chris Sharp; Bryan Thatcher; and Robert Thatcher, and wife, Lenore; five grandchildren will always remember his sense of humor, his prescient in the room, and countless lessons he taught in their formative years: Samantha and fiancé, Patrick Choules; Dennis; Kassandra; Brendan; and Emily. He will always be loved by her entire family, along with his many dear friends.

A mass will be celebrated at 10 am on Thursday, June 9th in the St Brendan’s Catholic Church. Inurnment will follow in the church columbarium.

The family request in lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 3 International Drive, Suite 200, Rye Brook, NY 10573 or Make-A-Wish at Hudson Valley, 832 South Broadway, The Wish House, Tarrytown, NY 10591.

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