Mayor Sam Spina gathers supplies in May 1984 at a West Orange Fire House for flood victims in Wayne Township.
WEST ORANGE, NJ — Samuel A. Spina, former five-term mayor of West Orange and former president of the N.J. Conference of Mayors, died Feb. 10 at age 86. The longest-serving West Orange mayor, he held the top township position from 1978 to 1998.
Born in Orange, Spina was a lifelong resident of West Orange. He graduated in 1947 from West Orange High School, where he met Joan Coen, whom he married and lived with happily for 63 years. Spina earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Seton Hall University in South Orange and served as a corporal in the United States Marine Corps.
Spina began his civil service work as the director of personnel for Essex County and later ran for West Orange Township Council, taking a council seat in 1970.
In May 1978, Spina was elected mayor for the first time. In 1982, he became the first candidate in the history of West Orange to run unopposed for mayor, and eventually was elected to an unprecedented fifth term in 1994. During his time as mayor, Spina was elected to serve as the president of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors in April 1988, and in 1991 was elected chairman of the Essex County Conference of Mayors.
“Mayor Sam Spina officially served the community for 28 years as a councilman and mayor and oversaw the township during a period of tremendous growth and many changes in the American society,” current Mayor Robert Parisi told the West Orange Chronicle via email. “Some of the programs he implemented are still among the most important the township provides today and everything he did demonstrated his compassion for people and his caring for West Orange families. His legacy will forever be felt by this community and his presence will never be matched.”
Spina’s ties to the community went well beyond his own public service, and his love for West Orange permeated nearly every aspect of his life.
A lifelong parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in West Orange, Spina served as a lector for 50 years, according to an obituary. He was recently awarded the Marnell Award for a lifetime of dedication to the church. Additionally, he was a past president of the Holy Name Society and a past grand knight of the West Orange Knights of Columbus Council 5519 and 4th Degree Archbishop Bailey Assembly.
Spina was actively involved with Seton Hall Preparatory School in West Orange, serving as a member of the Fathers Club and the Seton Hall Alumni Association. He was a member of the West Orange Rotary Club, the Elks Lodge, UNICO and American Legion. He was also a member of the Padre Pio Sons of Italy Club and the Irish American Society of the Oranges, and was honored by B’nai B’rith.
Spina gave his wholehearted participation to many charitable, civic and church functions, which “have earned for him the respect of countless people representing all ages and walks of life,” read his obituary in the Star-Ledger. “Sam’s larger-than-life personality lit up a room when he walked in. A person like Sam only passes this way once in a lifetime. He was known for his smile, and upbeat, gregarious demeanor. Sam was a gracious person who treated those he met with respect and dignity. He helped many and will be missed greatly.”
Spina was predeceased by his parents, Anthony S. and Agnes E. Spina, and his son, Michael. He is survived by his children and their families: Robert “Bobby,” Anthony “Tony” and Lorraine; Elaine and Bart Petrillo; Suzanne and Pat LaBracio; Tippy “Sam,” and Marleen and Peter Nigro; and 13 grandchildren.
Mayor Sam Spina will always hold a special place in the hearts of West Orange’s residents.
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