Retired Colonel Samuel Fuoco

Retired Colonel Samuel Fuoco of Eatontown, NJ passed away on 03April2020 due to complications fighting the COVID19 virus. Sam was a decorated veteran who spent more than 37 committed years in the Active Army and the Army Reserve rising to the rank of full Colonel.

Samuel was born on December 9th, 1948 to Gaetano & Teresa Fuoco in Sunnyside, WA. He received his Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) commission as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army upon graduating from Seattle University as a Distinguished Military Student in 1971. In total, Samuel holds a Bachelor of Education Degree from Seattle University, a Master of Science Education from Monmouth College and a Master of Education Degree from Temple University where he graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Col. Fuoco began his military career as an Airborne Infantry Platoon Leader in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC. He served a year-long combat tour as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom during which he was awarded a Bronze Star along with numerous other medals and recognitions throughout his military career ultimately retiring in 2011. After a distinguished career in the United States Army, Col. Fuoco never stopped serving the Army with his volunteer efforts supporting our Active Duty Military, Veterans and their Families. Col. Fuoco, now United States Army, retired, was the President of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Monmouth Best Chapter selected from 2016 through 2019. The Chapter's Mission is the Voice for the Army and Support for the Soldier. Under Col. Fuoco's leadership the Monmouth Chapter has been selected the best chapter among hundreds of chapters across the Country for the last three years, a first in the over 35-year history of the organization.

Col. Fuoco was an honorable soldier, leader and loving father in addition to leaving a positive impact on all who knew him. He is predeceased by his parents and his brother Fred. He is survived by his wife Frances; his brother Tony; his sister Rosie; his five children, Teresa (Dimezza), Guy, Michael, Davide, and Angela (Nicola); and his ten grandchildren, Coleton, Madeline, Isabella, Dominick, Juliana, Mason, Christian, Francesca, Lyla, and Julietta.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 26, 2020 from 5 - 8 pm at the Damiano Funeral Home, 191 Franklin Avenue in Long Branch. Livestreaming for the Mass of Christian Burial and Entombment with Military Honors will begin at 10:30 am on Thursday, August 27th. In lieu of flowers a scholarship fund has been establish in his memory at https://www.sjvhs.com/support-sjv/colonel-samuel-fuoco-scholarship-fund.The Fuoco family welcomes any and all stories, photos, and memories that friends and colleagues would like to offer by selecting the Tribute/Guestbook page above.