Obituary of Sam Patrick Barcelona, Jr.

Sam Patrick Barcelona, Jr., age 97, was born on June 17, 1926, in Houston, Texas and passed away on June 11, 2024 in Houston, Texas.  Sam was a beloved member of the community and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.  He was funny, kind, generous, loving, proud and selfless. 

As a boy, Sam attended Christ the King Catholic School, Hogg Jr. High and Jeff Davis High School. 

Sam proudly served in the Navy during World War II in the Pacific. After his military service, he embarked on a successful career in the sporting goods industry.  He first worked for Holt's Sporting Goods in downtown Houston.  He would later team up with longtime friend, Slater Martin and they co-owned Slater Martin Sporting Goods in Spring Branch.  Sam eventually became the sole owner and renamed his company Barcelona Sporting Goods in 1956. He and his brother, Dennis grew the business, had multiple locations and operated for over 60 years. He was well known for his generosity towards coaches, Little Leagues, and various Sports Associations. Sam truly valued his customers and employees and treated everyone like family.  In the earlier years he even had a room at one of his stores where the coaches could meet to visit and play dominos.  He never met a stranger and loved meeting and talking with his customers while helping them in any way he could. 

Sam loved all things sports related. He loved watching all the ball games and sweating them out for his team.  An avid outdoorsman, Sam enjoyed hunting, fishing and golf.  In his earlier years, he enjoyed fishing and spending a lot of time at his San Leon bay house.  On the weekends, you could find him shooting dice in Lake Charles and he could certainly show them how it's done and entertain the table. 

Sam never married or had children of his own, but you'd never know it, as he treated all his nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews as his own. He was a second Dad to many and helped so many people in so many different ways.  Sam is survived by his sister-in-laws Barbara Barcelona and Mary Ann Barcelona, nieces: Denise Barcelona, Lisa Barcelona Pinina and husband Chris Pinina, and Rosanne Barcelona.  Nephews: Sammy Barcelona and wife LaErica Barcelona, and Tommy Barcelona and wife Felicia Barcelona.  Great-nieces: Katie Rivera and husband Alejandro Rivera, Cloie Barcelona, Isabella Barcelona, Rose Miller, Brianne Barcelona and Sophia Piatkowski.  Great-nephews:  Brad Collins and wife Jill Collins, Cole Miller, Nicholas Pinina, Sammy Barcelona, Dennis Barcelona and T.J. Barcelona.  Great-great-nieces and nephews:  Mila Rivera, Parker Collins and James Collins. 

The family would like to extend our sincere appreciation to his doctors, nurses and caregivers.  In particular, we would like to thank Dr. Ronald Taylor and nurse, Judy for many years of loving care.  We would also like to thank all of the loving staff at Solano Vintage Park where Sam last resided.  He made many friends with the staff there and they looked after him like their own.  We would also like to acknowledge Three Oaks Hospice for their guidance and services for Sam these last months.  Last, but certainly not least, we are eternally grateful to Sam's personal caregivers that were with him over the last years.  Vivian Williams and Mazalo Togo were with him until the end.  They showed him love, patience and genuine friendship through their care. We would also like to thank Sheila Santana for her assistance and care over the years.  

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Chris Pinina, Brad Collins, Cole Miller, Nicholas Pinina, Sammy Barcelona and Alejandro Rivera.  Serving as honorary pallbearers are Tommy Colonnetta, Tommy Cashiola, Tommy Barcelona, Mike Mahon, Bob Smith and Bob Henderson.   

Sam was preceded in death by his mother, Rosalie Sedita Barcelona, father, Sam Barcelona, Sr., and brothers T.J. (Boots) Barcelona, Dennis Lee Barcelona, and baby brother.  Sam had an incredible and unbreakable bond with his brothers and we take comfort in knowing that they are all together again. 

Sam was a long-time member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 19222 TX 249, in Houston, Texas, with a viewing and visitation at 9:30 a.m. Sam will be laid to rest at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston, Texas. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association.