Sam Via enjoyed sports and was loved by many
Sam Via was a happy man.
Life was good. He was living in a new home of his own design, with a beautiful view of the Spokane River from his study, his children were progressing well, and he was in his eighth year with the love of his life, his wife, Jerri. His days were filled with service, the love of his family and friends, his sports accomplishments, and the satisfaction of fulfilling his duty to God and his country.
But in the midst of playing a hockey game on Jan. 9, Sam Via died of a heart attack. He was 59.
Children of John and Anne Via (now Huffman), Sam and his four younger siblings were born and reared in Spokane. He was known as “Sammy” to friends from grade school on up. His brother John, dubbed “Bo” by Sam at birth, describes their growing-up years as a normal 1950s good time. Out the door at the break of day and not home again until 10 p.m., running free with friends in the neighborhood around St. Patrick’s School. At the drop of a hat they could gather 20 kids for a ball game in the vacant lot across the street.
The Via family is known for its high-spirited humor and shenanigans. Once, as young boys, Sam and Bo decided to hang their little brother Mark, but their mother intervened and sent them to their rooms for the afternoon. So they stuffed his clothes and hung their makeshift dummy instead, where their mom would see it when she came up to check on them. They all survived, and Sam Via grew up to be a protector of his brothers and sisters, Bo, Mark, Lynn and Marcia.
“Sports were always a huge part of our lives,” says Bo Via. They started playing tackle football in the third grade, and he and Sam played Spokane recreational basketball long enough that Bo’s sons grew up to join the team – the Old Guard Dogs ‘n’ Pups. Sam participated in Spokane’s Hoopfest every year since its inception, except for one year when he was serving in Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm. Recreation runs, basketball, volleyball, soccer and hockey all were part of Sam Via’s lifelong love of sports. It wasn’t enough to just watch – he had to be out there playing the game. He consistently ran Bloomsday in under an hour and a half. His volleyball team disintegrated when he died. On March 7, the Sam Via Memorial Volleyball Tournament was held in honor of one of Spokane’s most enthusiastic and enduring sports figures. Later in March, the Gonzaga Prep Alumni Basketball Tournament, which had been one of Via’s favorite activities, featured Sam Via memorial T-shirts for the players.
Unlike some sports enthusiasts, he never got mean or angry. He is remembered as one who accepted others with kindness, overlooking faults. “I never heard him speak ill of anyone – not ever,” says Bo. “He didn’t judge others, and he wouldn’t let you judge others, either.” Modest to the core, Via would be stunned to know how much it meant to so many to simply be accepted and treated with kindness and respect. His sister-in-law Donna Stemen wrote, “He wasn’t just a nice guy; he was compassionate. He didn’t just read the Bible every day, he lived its lessons.”
Much of Via’s education and values centered in the Catholic schools he attended. As fun-loving and good-humored as he was, he was very serious about his religion. He helped earn the parochial school tuition for him and his siblings, and served as an altar boy as a youth. As soon as he was able to earn a living he began to donate to the Catholic educational charities, as well as others, explaining that he wanted to pay back for his education.
Nothing kept him from his attendance at church, or from his monthly service at the House of Charity. Cheerfully, he encouraged the residents to eat, clean up and keep a positive outlook. He shoveled the walks of numerous friends and acquaintances, few of whom knew of the service he gave the others. One elderly lady called him her “angel in denim,” but he would be embarrassed if his good turns were discovered.
Via graduated from Gonzaga Prep in 1966, subsequently holding down two jobs in preparation for serving in the military. He had worked for some time as a baggage/mail handler for Great Northern Railway, then took the exam for Postal Service and was hired there as well. With the Vietnam War in full swing, he signed up and became a helicopter mechanic and gunner in the Army. After the war, he had his choice of employment, and chose the post office, continuing to pursue his college degree. A year away from graduation, Fort Wright College became a women’s college – Fort Wright College of the Holy Names. Via was one of only six men who were permitted to complete their degrees there.
He rose to be postmaster at Airway Heights, retiring in 1991 after 25 years. He then embarked on a second career with the Air National Guard. He wanted to fly, and he wanted to see the world. He did both, flying out of Fairchild Air Force Base. During military action he was a boom operator and gunner, earning the rank of master sergeant. But he had no desire to discuss his actions overseas. He was with the Guard full-time from 1991 to 2003.
Via had two sons, Joshua and Jonathan; a daughter, Taeya; a stepson, Jeremy, and two grandchildren. They were a continuing source of pride.
Thirty-five years ago he met Jerri Sinnott through a co-worker – her mother. They dated briefly and moved on. They grew separately through some tough life experiences, but had a mutual circle of friends and common interests. When they found themselves single again, Via was persistent, winning her trust and her hand in marriage. “He wasn’t only my husband; he truly was my very best friend,” she says.
Judging from the number of people who came to honor him,and who continue to reach out to his family, a lot of folks felt the same way – Sam Via was a friend to all.