Samuel Joseph Truscello

Samuel Joseph Truscello, age 88, husband of Barbara Keith Truscello, passed away the morning of February 17, 2011. The Truscellos have lived in Charleston, S.C. since 1980.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at 11 a.m., Saturday, February 26, 2011 in J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL, 232 Calhoun St., Charleston, SC.

Mr. Truscello was born September 20, 1922 in Lorain, Ohio, the son of Hugo Truscello and Florine Sampson Truscello.  He grew up in Amherst, Ohio with sisters Anne and Ida and brother Hugo. During World War II, Mr. Truscello served in the United States Navy and played for 6 years in the Navy band.  He met his wife Barbara, a USO girl, on the Charleston Naval base.  The couple married at St. Mary's Church and just recently celebrated 65 years together.  They spent most of their early years in northern Ohio where he received an undergraduate and Master's Degree in English from Kent State University.  Mr. Truscello was a beloved, dedicated and kind-hearted teacher for over 35 years who taught English in Ohio at Windham and Wickliffe High Schools, Pleasant Valley and Greenbriar Junior High Schools in Parma Heights, Ohio and most recently in South Carolina at Trident Technical College.  He also mentored students at risk for part of his career.  Upon retiring in 1980, he moved to Charleston and regularly attended Essex Village Church of Christ.  He volunteered time helping with book drives for the Friends of the Charleston Library and was a staunch member of the Monday morning coffee klatch at the City of Charleston Municipal Golf Course. 

Mr. Truscello was surrounded and loved by good neighbors in the Lenevar community of West Ashley.  He is survived by his wife Barbara of Charleston, S.C.; two sons, Robert J. Truscello and his wife Susan of Charlotte, N.C and David K. Truscello and his wife Beverly Bickel of Baltimore, MD, and an adopted niece Barbara Collins Smoak of Charleston and her husband Ray who live in Memphis, TN; five grandchildren: Amy, Beth, Matthew, David and Nora; and three great grandchildren: Ryan, Brayden and Collin.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Hospice of Charleston Foundation in honor of the many professionals and volunteers there who do God's work every day.  Donations can be sent to 4975 Lacross Road, Suite 200, N. Charleston, S.C. 29406.  The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support and sends a special thank you to niece Sarah Anderson, her husband Andy, and Mr. Raymond Boynton.