Sam A. Christopher, 'Dean Of Ocean County Journalists,' Dies At 87

Courtesy of Lakewood Funeral Home:

Sam A. Christopher, 87, passed away on February 9, 2015. He was born in Long Branch to his late parents, Rocco and Catherine Christopher. He lived in Red Bank before residing in Lakewood since 1940.

Sam served his country in the United States Army during World War II. When he wasn’t manning the Howitzer, he was the sports editor of the Fort Knox Newspaper.

He was known as the “Dean of Ocean County Journalists”, spending his entire life with the jersey shore newspapers.

From the time he graduated from Lakewood High School in 1945, he has been involved in journalism. His first job was as a sports writer and bookkeeper for the Lakewood Daily Times. Sam progressed through different jobs at the Freehold Transcript and the Asbury Park Press, where he founded the Ocean County Bureau in 1947 at age 19.

He moved on to become the editor of the New Jersey Courier and later became editor/publisher of the Lakewood Daily Times when he, along with his wife, Marilyn and her parents bought the newspaper in 1956. They sold the newspaper in 1977 to the owners of the Ocean County Observer. He continued to serve as staff writer for the Observer and wrote his “Times Talk” column three times per week.

Continuing his love of sports, he covered the New York Giants baseball team for its World War II Spring Training in 1943, 1944, and 1945 at the old John D. Rockefeller Estate, now Ocean County Park. He covered the team for the Lakewood Daily Times, supplementing his writing of high school sports.

Sam had a love of sports, receiving five varsity letters in high school. Ever concerned with the community, Sam coached and handled public relations for the Lakewood Little League.

He served for 21 years as director of the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce and was a charter member of the Lakewood Heritage Commission.

He was a long time communicant of St. Mary of the Lake Church, where in 2004 he was honored for his outstanding contributions to the parish. His other honors include election to the LHS Alumni Association Hall of Fame, the Jersey Shore Athletic Hall of Fame, the LHS Athletic Hall of Fame, Citizen of the Year by the Alcohol and Drug Council of Ocean County, Man of the Year by the Lakewood Estonian Association, and the Jackson Jaycees. In 2007, the Lakewood Blue Claws named their press box the “Sam A. Christopher Press Box.”

Sam’s reputation of fairness and independence always kept the needs of the community at the forefront, and kept the readers informed of political interest and activities.

It is safe to say that Sam Christopher has left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of our community.

To quote one of his idols, Frank Sinatra, Sam did it “My Way”.

Sam was predeceased by his best friend and loving wife of 48 years, Marilyn (Peterson), his foster parents, Larry and Sara D’Zio, his brothers, Domenick, Rocco, and Colio, and sisters, Marian, Angie, and Tess.

Sam is survived by his biggest fans and devoted children, Lisa and her husband Mike O’Neill and George “Chris” Christopher, and his granddaughter and best buddy, Erin O’Neill, his three sisters, Rosemarie Zipoy, Ann DiCostanzo, and Josephine Todaro, and his step-brothers, Larry Lee, Richard and Bobby D’Zio as well as many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends may celebrate Sam’s life at the DiCostanzo family-owned, Lakewood Funeral Home, 6250 Highway 9, Howell, on Thursday, February 12 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.Before the conclusion of each visitation family and friends are invited to share a fond memory of Sam with everyone. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday at noon at St. Mary of the Lake Church, Lakewood. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery, Lakewood. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic Charities in his memory.