World War II Veteran Sam Parise Retired from Royal Oak Schools, Owned Landscape Company

Sam Parise, age 97, of Saline, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 9, 2025. Sam was born January 1, 1928, in Lumberport, West Virginia. He was the son of Francesco Parise and Antoinette Marra.

He married Gloria Klemczak on June 11, 1949 and they were married 68 years and she proceeds him in death. He leaves behind 5 children - Stephen (Michele) Parise of Orwell, Vermont; Michael (Carmen) Parise of Saline; Cynthia Parise of Saline; Sam P. (Cheryl) Parise of Gross Pointe Park; Christopher (Jessica) Parise of Kalamazoo; 14 Grandchildren; and 16 Great-Grandchildren.

Sam served his country in the Army/Air Force during WWII where he received an honorable discharge. Along with owning his own landscaping business, he was also employed in the Royal Oak School District where he was responsible for all building and ground maintenance and eventually retired from there. After earning his teaching certificate, Sam taught Buildings and Grounds Management Class to young adults with special needs at the SE Oakland Vocational Education Center.

Sam spent many hours volunteering at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, teaching youth about honeybees, and Growing Hope in Ypsilanti. He was known to many people as “Sam the Bee Man”, He was a member of the Sunrise Side Wood Carvers located in Oscoda, and created wood address signs that are scattered all over Michigan. Along with earning his Master Gardner certification from MSU, he was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed spending time up-north in Fairview with his children, grandchildren and friends.

Friends may join the family for a time of visitation on Thursday, May 22nd, 2025 from 3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the Robison-Bahnmiller Funeral Home in Saline. Visitation will continue on Friday, May 23rd from 10:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. at the St. Andrew Catholic Church in Saline. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 A.M. with Fr. John Linden as Celebrant. Following the Mass, inurnment will take place in the St. Andrew Church Columbarium. Military Honors will be held under the auspices of the Veteran’s Honor Guard of Washtenaw County. A luncheon will also be held at the Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Growing Hope, a nonprofit building a more just and equitable local food system in Ypsilanti, MI. Contributions can be made online at www.growinghope.net/donate or by check mailed to: Growing Hope, 922 W. Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti, MI 48197. To leave a memory you have of Sam, to sign his online guestbook or for directions please visit www.rbfhsaline.com

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