In Memoriam: Longtime Fair Havenite, Sam Rago, 84

Fifty-year Fair Haven resident Sam Rago passed away on Oct. 8 at Riverview Medical Center. He was 84.

“Back in the day you could always find Sam working on his tan with a cocktail in hand sharing laughs at his favorite places Donavons Reef and Tradewinds Beach Club … Sam was a season ticket holder and life-long fan of the New York Giants where he loved going to the games with his son, cousin Jeannie, his Manalapan crew, family and neighbors. More than anything he loved his wife and all her homemade cooking especially around the holidays with his children and grandchildren. Sam enjoyed his italian music and especially his Sinatra. Sam lived just how Frankie sang it — ‘I did it my way!'”
Loved ones of Samy Rago in his obituary

Born in Long Branch to Micheal and Mary Rago, Sam grew up in Red Bank where he made friends that would last him a lifetime — Red Bank Boys.

He honorably served in the U.S. Navy where he boxed in front of President Eisenhower on the Presidential Cruise USS Canberra in 1957.

Sam owned Town & Country Hairstylists in Manalapan for 30 years. He then retired and went to work for Rocky’s, where he worked side by side with his daughter Michelle who now owns it.

Sam was predeceased by his parents and his son, Sammy.

He is survived by: his loving wife Sylvia (Greco) Rago. His daughter Marianna and fiance Ronnie Jackson; his daughter, Michelle and partner Glen Visconi; grandchildren, Sammi Roberts and Ronnie Jackson, who adored their Pop Pop; Paul Roberts, father of grandchild Sammi; sisters-in-law Carmena Van Leer her husband Roger and Mary Arnella.

Services are pending at this time.

— Edited obituary prepared by family via Thompson Memorial Home