ZAAGMAN, Olinto Sammy “Sam”

(Age 74)

Sam passed away of heart failure on 11/15/2017 at his home.  He was born 12/4/1942 to Sydney and Mary (Simonelli) Zaagman in Muskegon, Michigan as the 3rd of 4 children.  Upon high school graduation, Sam enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, trained as a medic and was stationed at Fairchild, AFB where he met his wife of 54 years, Virginia.  Together they raised 3 daughters, Lori Zaagman-Bacon (Dave) Spokane, WA, Andrea Zaagman-Al-Abdullah, Hyde Park, Utah and Priscilla Zaagman, Spokane Valley, WA.  A short time following completion of his Air Force enlistment, Sam began his career with the Spokane VA Hospital.  Sam had a long time love relationship with motorcycles and was a proud member of the Harley Davidson “Hog” club.  Sam was a lover of music with an unusual ability to recall not only the exact words of a library quantity of songs, but also the history of the performing artists.  Though he played the guitar and sang personally, his music preferences ranged from county western to Broadway musicals and included the classics.  He also enjoyed live theater. His faith in God and all things Italian were important to him. Sam deeply loved his immediate and extended family and the time shared with them. He especially enjoyed his grandchildren who he entertained with his made-up stories, the most famous being “Charlie Chicken” and “Chico the Wonder Owl”.  Sam was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Lambert, brother-in-law James Evans and sister-in-law Bonnie Evans.  He is survived by his wife, Virginia, his 3 daughters, 10 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by his sister Tina (Bill) Hassinger and brother John (Gayle) Zaagman, Michigan, and a large extended family in both Washington and Michigan.   A Vigil Service will be held Tuesday November 21, 2017 at 7:00 P.M. at Hennessey Funeral Home.   Funeral Mass Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at 2:00 P.M.  at St. Aloysius Catholic Church 330 E Boone Ave. Spokane.  Committal with Military Honors at Holy Cross Cemetery Friday, November 24 at 10 A.M. 

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