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Hand was born Sept. 19, 1945, in Scranton, Pa., to Leslie and Helen. He graduated from Scranton Central in 1963 and attended Bloomsburg University. After graduating from Bloomsburg, he began his career as a high school teacher in Bristol Township, Pa., and Vestal, N.Y. He joined General Electric and received his masters from Rider University. He spent 38 years at GE, led GE's Financial Management Program, earned Six Sigma certification and spent 18 years in government accounting in Fairfield, Conn. He was recognized as an industry expert and represented GE on many associations, including serving as president of the Aerospace Industry Association. He concluded his GE career in Wilmington, N.C., where he and Donna retired in 2010.
He served as a eucharistic minister, a lector, pre-cana leader, global leader for the Marriage Encounter movement and in countless other volunteer positions in the Church.
Hand is survived by his wife, Donna of Leland, N.C.; daughter, Tina Tison (Joe) of Fairfield, Conn.; sons, Joe Hand (Lauren) of Basking Ridge, N.J., and Bob Hand and his girlfriend Jaime Sasso of New York, N.Y.; and six grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents.
Calling hours are Tuesday, July 8 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Lesko & Polke Funeral Home, 1209 Post Road, Fairfield, Conn., directly in St. Jude Church, 707 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe, Conn., Wednesday, July 9 at 11 a.m. for a Funeral Mass in celebration of Sam's life. A separate memorial celebration will be held in Leland at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
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