Saverio F. "Sam" Pensabene Obituary (2004)

PENSABENE, SAVERIO F. "SAM", retired senior electrochemist with General Electric Company, died at home on Friday after a brief illness. He was 70. Pensabene was born in Carbondale, PA and later moved to Syracuse, NY. He graduated from LeMoyne College in Syracuse, earned his Ph. D. from the University of Notre Dame in 1960, and joined the General Electric Company in New York State. In 1963, Pensabene moved to Florida as part of an advanced team of four GE employees who did the initial hiring and prepared the U.S. 441 site for the General Electric Battery Business Department. As a physical chemist, Pensabene received many commendations, and also was granted many patents in and outside of the U.S. Pensabene continued in the battery business with Gates Energy Products and with Energizer Power Systems until his retirement in 1997. Sam enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He always had an interest in how things work, and often his innovations made things better than they had been originally. He enjoyed swimming and tending his fig trees. Sam Pensabene was an avid Notre Dame and Gator fan. Survivors include Sally Reed Pensabene, his wife of 48 years; children David (Donna) Pensabene of Naples, FL, Paula (Ted) Zahn of Clermont, FL, Phyllis (Stefan) Davis of Newberry, FL; beloved niece Mandy (Darryl) Thompson of Rochester, NY; sisters Mrs. Lee (Peter) DiPaola of Syracuse, NY, and Ms. Jo Pensabene of Fayetteville, NY; and his grandchildren Nicholas Pensabene, Alexandra Zahn, Steven Pensabene, Samantha Zahn, Miles Davis, and Mason Davis. Arrangements by Milam Funeral Home in Gainesville. Visitation will be Tuesday August 3, 2004 from 4-7PM at Milam Funeral Home, 311 S. Main St., Gainesville, FL (1- 800-433-5361). Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday at Holy Faith Catholic Church, 347 N.W. 43rd St., Gainesville, FL with burial in Forest Meadows Central Cemetery, Gainesville, FL.