Sam Latona, was a 24 year old rookie firefighter, had gone into a tenement along with several other firefighters to fight the fire toward the rear of building when the entire building collapsed pinning the firefighters into the basement of the building, and he died along with Battalion Chief Joseph Griffin.
Samuel C. Latona was born on September 15, 1945 in Passaic, NJ. He was the son of the late Mr. & Mrs. Joseph and Angela Latona. The Latona family resided at 152 Howe Avenue. He attended Memorial #11 School. He was a parishioner of St. Anthony’s R.C. Church of Passiac, NJ where he played basketball for their CYO team. He then attended Lincoln Junior High School and Passaic High School, where he graduated June 1965. During his time at Passaic High School, Sam was a punter and defensive back for the football team. Til this day, Sam holds the record for the longest punt in Passaic High School history of 96 yards. He was beloved by all of his teammates and friends.
Sam entered the service on March 4, 1966 and served until February 13, 1969. A good portion of his time was spent with an ordnance unit in Vincenza, Italy. A specialist 4th class, Sam was given the National Defense Medal and Honor Guard Medal.
Sam was appointed to the Passaic Fire Department on June 12, 1969 and served March 12, 1970. He was proud to serve his city and community, making sure the lives of all were protected.
Sam was engaged to the late Kathleen Cullen and their wedding was set for Oct 17, 1970.
Sam’s outgoing personality and smile were among his many wonderful characteristics. His love for family, especially his brother Joseph, sister Angela, his father Joseph and mother Angela, was enduring. Although his life was cut too short at the age of 24, the legacy and memory of Sammy lives on with his friends and family forever. He is forever their hero, a hero of the city of Passaic and the Passaic Fire Department. He was promoted posthumously to Lieutenant on March 12, 2020.
Sam was a beautiful cousin of mine. He was a very loving person, kind, a wonderful son, brother and friend. Sam is so missed by all. We all miss and love you.
– Donna Tirico CapuanoThis is my Uncle Sam. Although, we never met my Dad , Robert Weiss would tell us stories. My uncle is a hero and I wish I had the privilege to meet him. Thank you Uncle Sammy for bravery and dedication. We love you .
– RobynMy mother is Angela Weiss formally Angela Latona. Uncle Sam would’ve been my uncle how he not perished in that fire on that fateful day. I was born two years after my uncle Sam passed away. My mother and father Robert Weiss, who recently passed away and October 2020, always told me about my uncle Sam what a great person and human being he was but also an incredible athlete. My father used To say that I reminded him a lot of my uncle Sam when it came to sports. I wish my uncle Sam could’ve been around my teenage years so I could throw the ball around with him and just get to know him and have him in my life. I’m proud to have uncle Sam as a family member with how he carried himself through life With his selfless giving to others. Love you, uncle Sam. – Ryan
– Ryan M. Weiss