Sam Regusa Jr, 84, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Raton, New Mexico on November 23rd, 2022. He was born on October 28th, 1938 in Morley Colorado, and then moved to Trinidad, Colorado. Sam graduated from Trinidad High School in 1956. It was during those high school years that he met Clara Mae Iuppa, and they married in 1957, enjoying 65 years of marriage together. Sam attended Trinidad State Junior College where he played baseball which began his love for that sport. He and Mae moved to Alamosa, Colorado and Sam graduated from Adams State College in 1963 with a degree in education. Following graduation, Sam and Mae moved to Raton, New Mexico where they raised their family. Sam taught school in the Raton for 39 years and retired in 2002.
It was during those years that he continued his passion for coaching baseball and a variety of other sports. He led the Tigers Baseball team for 17 years, winning numerous district baseball championships, and coached the team to their first state baseball championship in 1990. In 1997 Sam was selected to coach the North in the New Mexico Triple A North/South All-Star baseball game. The North won the game.
Following retirement, Sam spent his time doing the things he loved the most; spending time with his family and watching his grandkids play sports, and tending to animals on his ranch.
His parents, Sam and Rose Ragusa of Trinidad preceded him in death. In addition to his wife Mae, he is survived by his daughter Cindy and husband Bill Naccarato, son Rick and his wife Terri, granddaughter Shanna and her husband Nathan Trujillo, and great-grandson Xander James Trujillo and Grandson Kevin Feldman and Brooke Dale. Sam is also survived by his sister Loretta Stuart and husband Tracy as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Recitation of the most Holy Rosary will be on Saturday, morning January 28th at 11:00, at St. Patricks/St. Josephs Catholic Church in Raton recited by Frank Cimino. The mass will follow at 11:30 with Father Rob Yaksich as the Celebrant.
There will be an interment at a later date.
For those who wish, a donation may be made in Sam’s memory to:
Raton Humane Society St. Jude,s Childrens Cancer Research Center
PO Box 1321 or Stjude.org
Raton, NM 87740
Arrangements made under the direction of the Comi Funeral Home
Sam and I were “partner teachers” at Raton Middle School for five years. Never had so much fun! Sam was an outstanding person, teacher, and friend.
He always had time for me, other teachers and every student who went to his classroom. He taught me more than he taught any of his students.
Thank you Sam; Now, it really is time to enjoy your well deserved eternal rest.
I’ve always said: there is a place reserved in Heaven for the “GOAT” (Greatest of all time”).
Rest easy, Sam.
Dearest Mrs. Regusa, Cindy and Ricky,
I am deeply saddened to hear of Mr. Regusa’s passing. I cannot tell you what a huge impact he had on my life. He was my 6th grade teacher, and his policy of “it’s either the baby bonnet, dunce cap, or staying in at recess to write the dictionary” was epic! We all got the point. His class was informative and fun. None of us were prouder of the junior high basketball team which he coached. They were phenomenal in great part to his coaching and the guys love of him. I just think he was a great man.
Fondly,
Liz McKenna – Class of 1971