| Date of Birth | January 24, 1934 |
| Date Deceased | February 14, 2024 |
| Hometown | Hornell |
| Home State | N.Y. |
| Service Date | February 26, 2024 |
| Service Time | 10 a.m. |
| Service Location | St. Ann's Church, Hornell |
| Interment Location | St. Mary's Cemetery, Town of Fremont |
Samuel Joseph Nasca
HORNELL -Samuel Joseph Nasca, 90, of Pardee Street, passed away Wednesday, (Feb. 14, 2024) at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, NY surrounded by family.
Born in Hornell on Jan. 24, 1934, he was the son of the late Peter & Mary (Cicero) Nasca. Sam was also predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Mary Angela Nasca, whom he married at St. Ann’s Church in Hornell on Nov. 7, 1958.
Sam resided for most of his life in Hornell, graduating from Hornell High School in 1952 where he served as drum major for the marching band. After graduation, Sam served in the United States Air Force from 1952-1957, based primarily in Texas and Germany and was the recipient of the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. After serving in the Air Force, Sam began working in Hornell as a Trainman on the Erie, Erie Lackawanna, and Conrail railroads. He then became involved with the United Transportation Union as Local Chairperson of Local 318. From there he went on to become the New York State Legislative Director of the UTU/SMART Union in Albany, where in his tenure for over 35 years he was their lobbyist and legislative representative.
In addition to his work for the Union, Sam was an active member of the Hornell Democratic Party as their Chairman for decades and was one of the founding members of the Hornell Industrial Development Agency in 1976 acting as their chairman as well. He was a member of the Hornell chapters of both the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus. Sam was dedicated to his career and to serving his community. He was a communicant of St. Ann’s Church of Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Hornell and Christ Our Light Church in Loudonville, N.Y.
Sam is survived by his children, Katherine (Thomas) Rohan of Mesquite, TX, Marlene Turino of Ridgewood, NJ, Samuel J (Rebecca) Nasca II of Charlotte, NC, and Ronald (Brandy Sleggs) Nasca of Hornell; his eight grandchildren, Eric, Matthew, and Rachael Rohan, Samantha (Tyler) Benedetto, Eric Turino, Carmen, Dominic, and Mia Nasca and his great-grandson, Parker Benedetto. He is also survived by his brothers, William and Louis Nasca; several nieces and nephews; and his companion, Judy Masti and their beloved cats.
Calling hours are 1-4 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 25, 2024) at the Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main Street, Hornell. Relatives and friends are invited to join his family at St. Ann’s Church, 31 Erie Avenue, Hornell where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday (Feb. 26, 2024). Committal prayers and interment, with military honors, will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Town of Fremont.
The United States flag and the Air Force flag will proudly fly at the Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home in recognition of Sam’s military service.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to the Hornell Area Humane Society, 7649 Industrial Park Road, Hornell, NY 14843 and Kitten Angels, 233 Houseman Street Mayfield, NY. 12117. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.
The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home is honored to assist Sam’s family with the arrangements.
Online condolences or remembrances of Sam are welcome below in the comment section or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.
A life well lived. A man proud of Hornell and working hard always to improve it.
God bless the entire Nasca family, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Mary Helen and Chris Hogan
Thank you so much Mary Helen and Chris
Thank you Mary Helen and Chris. He loved his home town and put a lot of himself into making it a great place to raise a family.
My dear friend and mentor, you will be missed and always remembered. My most sincere condolences to the Nasca family. Sam was a man committed to Hornell and a better life for all.
Rest In Peace my dear friend.
Thank you Shawn. I hope you know how much he cherished you as a colleague and a friend, and all those years you both worked together towards a common goal, a better Hornell. I’ve heard some great stories over the years and my dad always enjoyed telling them.
My sympathy to all the Nasca siblings —- Kathy, Marlene, Sam #2, and Ronnie! Your dad worked hard to improve the lives of others in the Hornell community. Indeed, the years have gone by fast, too, from our growing-up days and our family connections to River Street in what used to be Hornell’s version of “Little Italy!” My extended sympathy to your uncles Lou and Bill.
Thank you, Joe. Your dad was in his wedding. Great photos
Thank you Joe. My wonderful memories of our early days on River Street and the generations of family connection will always hold a special place.
The best parts of my childhood were with my grandparents. I am blessed to have those sweet memories to take throughout the rest of my life. I will forever love and miss you, grandpa.
Sam and I connected in about 1976. Prior to that we were both employed by the Erie Lackawanna Railway, Sam originally from Hornell, NY and I from Marion, OH. We met in 1976 when I was a field investigator with NY State DOT and he was the Legislative Rep. for UTU, HQ, Albany, NY. We had much in common and fortunately I worked for NY DOT whose objective was the same is the UTU, preserving as much rail service to NY, thereby economic and employment reasons. Sam was the most significant person I had ever met who was completely dedicated to serving others. Fortunately, we both had the same objectives and were in a position to do a lot to help preserve railroad lines and jobs. We became great friends and co-workers, in this effort. After I left NY DOT employment, we were able to stay in contact for over the last 30 years. I met some of his family occasionally and want them to know of my appreciation of his friendship and dedication. I miss him!
Jerry, it was great meeting you and thank you for all your support.
To all of Sam’s Family: I am very grateful for Sam’s friendship through the years, and I’m very sorry for your loss.
Thanks Mike, greatly appreciated.
My parents, Jim and Rose Eveland, want to send their condolences to the family and friends of Sam. Sam and my father met on the railroad MANY years ago and stayed very close friends ever since, including after their move to Florida. My father is pretty broken up about his passing, but knows Sam lived an amazing life and helped a lot of people, so that is certainly how he plans on remembering him. That and all the fun that they had in Hornell and also traveling together over the years, all over the country. He has a ton of stories he can tell about Sam (and some he can’t LOL). I personally remember Sam as one of the nicest and most gentle men I’ve ever met, certainly looking up to him as a kid (he was also VERY tall), and as I grew to adulthood, he also became a friend of mine. I know he left an impression on so many people and helped a lot of people through very hard times, and that is the kind of legacy I would want as well. I’m sure we would all want that. Godspeed to our family’s friend and mentor. You’ll be missed Sam.
Judy and Naska family,
Please accept my deepest prayers and condolences on the passing of Sam.
I had the pleasure of working with Sam on many issues in the Labor movement. He was a true gentleman and friend.
Rest in peace and God Bless!
John Kearney
Secretary/Treasurer – Business Agent ( Ret. )
Teamsters 294
Thank you John.
I know Sam considered you a dear friend and colleague
Judy
So sorry to hear about Sam. My father (Bill Jackson) was Democratic Chairman until he had to step down due to health issues. Sam became Democratic chairman after Dad. My father thought a lot of Sam. Condolences to his family.
Dar Judy & the Nasca Family,
Julio and I are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend, Sam, into Eternal Life, especially because just this past week I was making plans to call him & Judy to go out to lunch or dinner with us . Be assured of our sincerest Prayers for the Repose of his soul and Condolences to you Judy and his beloved family. It was a real pleasure to know such a fine Gentleman and to be able to spend many fun & memorable times with him and Judy during social & other events.
Thank you Emma and Julio
Julio, you always took such good care of Sam
We did have some fun times golfing, dinners
Judy
My prayers and condolences to his family.
He was a great and helpful guy and i learned a lot from him in my current 24 years as General chairman with the UTU/SMART Union.
He will be sorely missed.
thank you, Russ
Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of Sam. Sending loving peace and healing light to my dear friend Judy and all his family.
thank you, Cindy for the kind thoughts
It was an honor to know & work with Sam. He will be greatly missed.
Scott, Thank you for your comments and being such a good friend and colleague
Judy
My sincere condolences on the passing Samuel.
John Aidala (Turf Lane)
(The guy who’s always asking about the Lincoln)
thank you John I remember you well, looking outside and seeing you and Sam
looking lovingly at the Lincoln and the T-bird
I smile think about those times
Judy
Brother Sam an I go back decades as Union brothers. I was elected to the national offices of executive board, alternate national legislative director and national legislative director. Each and every time it was Brother Sam that nominated me at the national conventions.
We served as state legislative directors together and always enjoyed each others company. He had a dry sense of humor that I’m thinking about right now. Once at a meeting of state directors I was appointed to the resolutions committee. I told Sam thank you and he said. “It’s not the revolutions Committe.”
Great guy I miss him already. Any of the family would wish to contact me my cell is 701-390-0990