Samuel Scaffidi was a man who ate ice cream by the gallons. Ask anyone. He was the first-born to his loving mother Gail Finn Scaffidi and the late Joseph S. Scaffidi, blessing the world with his presence on December 8th, 1962 in New Orleans, La. He grew up primarily in Metairie and was always a handful, an unforgettable character, and the star of many infamous childhood stories still told today by his siblings Joseph Scaffidi, Gina Engel, Paul Scaffidi, and Mary Scaffidi.


He enlisted in the Marines in 1981, specializing in communications which took him to Oceanside, California then to Okinawa, Japan with his first wife and childhood sweetheart, Angela Lavigne. It was there in the East China Sea that he would bring his new baby girl, Cheria Scaffidi, watching her wade as he snorkeled amongst the spectacular coral for lobsters. He returned to the New Orleans area in the late 80’s where he went on to meet his second wife, Tish Levine. They spent many-a-days happily camping along the Gulf Coast, and in 1999 she blessed him with his favorite motorcycle-riding wing girl, his daughter, Gabrielle Scaffidi. If Tish ever asks, he never took her riding on the highway, only local roads in the neighborhood, right Gabi? 

Sam tried on a few professional hats from painter to life insurance salesman, but his greatest vocation was serving others. It was giving back to his community through his work with the homeless that gave him the greatest sense of satisfaction. He worked with the NOPD Homeless Assistance Unit from 2004-2010 providing resources and pathways to those who truly needed the help. One of the most impactful times in his career was working during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina where he rescued around 800 people from nursing homes and general peril throughout the city. 

He then moved to Picayune MS where he worked for the Hancock County Sheriff's Department. He formed rich friendships there and loved his house near the Jourdan River. In 2018 the opportunity arose to go back into N.O. to continue the work he was doing with the homeless. He jumped at it and was truly invigorated to be back in the saddle. This was his greatest life’s work, and even with all the eccentricities that the city can dish out at times, here his heart was full. 

Life brought him closer to his daughters and grandchildren, Symi Tremblay and Indiana Tremblay as well as his son-in-law, Marc Tremblay. They all had the pleasure to spend countless hours with him listening to records, eating snowballs and spiraling down the YouTube rabbithole together. He peacefully passed on from this life and into the hands of the Lord on December 18th, 2020 surrounded by family after unfortunate, fatal complications he experienced post heart surgery. He did confirm before he passed that he was headed to a pier with loved ones who had gone before him for the most peaceful fishing trip of his life. Hope you’re catching all the big ones Dad. 

A memorial service will be held at the St. Louis Cathedral on Friday, March 26th at 9 am. As Covid restrictions have become more flexible, we are able to invite his extended circle of friends and family to join us, masks required of course.  In lieu of flowers we please ask that donations be made to an organization he helped to found with his NOPD partner and good friend BB St. Roman, Crescent City Outreach at www.crescentcityoutreach.org. Look forward to seeing everyone there.