Born and raised in Spokane, Wa., Sam was the only child of Joe Durante and Helen Wise. Sam attended school in Spokane at Sheridan Elementary, Libby Jr. High and Lewis & Clark High School.  During the war since he was not eligible for service, Sam worked at the Mead magnesium plant, Trentwood Rolling Mills and Boeing.  Sam met Joan in 1943 and they were married a year later and had four children. Sam went to work at the Spokane Hotel (later purchased by the Ridpath Hotel) and there he worked as a bellman, desk clerk and many years as the banquet manager retiring in 1988. Sam was preceded in death by his youngest daughter Sylvia Durante, his step sister Toni Savalli and son-in-law Jock Swanstrom. Sam is survived by his wife of  72-1/2 years, Joan Durante, daughter Eileen (Jock) Swanstrom, son Steve Durante, and daughter Cynthia (Cliff) Erickson.  Sam and Joan have 7 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grand child, and several nieces and nephews. A celebration of Sam's life will be held Monday, March 20, 12pm, at Hennessey Funeral Home at 2203 N. Division, Spokane, followed by a reception. Entombment will be at Fairmount Memorial Park. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers or gifts that donations be made in Sam's honor to Ronald McDonald House Charities Spokane, https://rmhcinlandnw.org/. 

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