Samuel J. Diaz

Samuel J. Diaz, 72, of Woodridge Manor, County Highway 107, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Sunday. Born January 20, 1939 in Manhattan, New York he was the son of the late Ferdenand and Ramona Rivera Diaz. He was raised in Manhattan and the Bronx and attended the Harron High School, he received his G.E.D. in the U.S. Air force, was a graduate of the Manhattan Community College; Programming Systems Institute in NY and the Del Henry Institute in NY. Sam was a U.S. Air Force Veteran and served during the Cuban Missile Crises. He was first employed from 1975 to 1980 as a Product Manager for Child Guidance, Gabriel Division at CBS Toys in Hagerstown MD, Woodbridge, NJ and the Bronx. After moving to this area in 1980, Sam was employed as a Product Manager where he directed and coordinated all production and assembly operation and new research for Coleco Industries in Amsterdam. He also worked for a short time for Stewart's Bread & Butter Shop as Assistant General Manager in Saratoga, NY. From 1986 to 2007, Sam was District Sales Manager of the Cumberland Farms where he was directly responsible for 14 stores, he was responsible for profit and loss, inventory control, merchandising and personal Trainer for all new managers in western New York. Locally Sam was very involved in the operating and management of the Cumberland farm stores in Fonda and Gloversville. Sam was an avid reader, loved everything to do with nature and he especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Survivors include his loving family, a daughter Angelita Douglass and her husband John; two sons Carlos Samuel Diaz of Hyannis, MA and Samuel J. Diaz, Jr.; a brother, William Diaz of Maryland; three grandchildren, Chelse Diaz, Phillip Douglass and Emily Douglass; several nieces, nephews and cousins. It was Sam's request that there be no funeral services or calling hours. Cremation will take place at the Vale Crematory in Schenectady.