Samuel J. Laury

Samuel Joseph Laury, 92, of McLean, VA, formerly of Canonsburg, PA, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on August 23, 1931 in Canonsburg, PA, a son of the late Frances and Joseph Laury. Sam’s name at birth was Salvatore Giuseppe Lauricia. He was a first-generation American, born to Sicilian immigrants. He was affectionately known as Sonny and during his childhood years his name was adapted to Samuel Joseph. He worked from a very young age. One of his first jobs was sweeping up cut hair from his family’s barber shop. One of the barbers was a young, soon-to-be famous singer, Perry Como.

Growing up, Sam was a doting brother to his sisters, Nina and Carm. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1953. After graduation, Sam joined the United States Army and rose to the rank of corporal. He met the love of his life, Lois Antonilli, at a neighborhood dance, and married her on September 7, 1957. After marriage he legally changed the family’s last name to Laury.

Together, Sam and Lois raised their two children, Sam, Jr. and Nina, in the Upper St. Clair neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA. Sam never missed a recital or game of his children’s or grandchildren’s. Sam and Lois moved to McLean, VA, in 1989.

Sam was always charming and filled with natural charisma. He was a natural salesman and entrepreneur. He loved making a deal and had a wide-ranging and successful business career. After leaving the military he worked as a loan officer for Pittsburgh National Bank, then as a drug representative for Squibb. Later, he worked for hair products manufacturer Helene Curtis. This put him in the beauty industry and he then pursued his entrepreneurial spirit and bought the beauty school Maison Felix. Eventually he transitioned again to the world of real estate. He was an agent and developer and had his own real estate firm, SJ Laury Real Estate.

Later in life he spent many years as a sought after real estate licensing instructor for Weichert Realty. He guided thousands of people from differing backgrounds into real estate who then served diverse communities throughout the DC Metro area. He taught up until the COVID epidemic shut down classes and retired at age 89.

Sam was an avid sports fan who always cheered for Pittsburgh teams and later in life adopted the New York Yankees as his team. Sam was always a fan of any athlete of Italian descent. As a fan, Sam was at Game 7 of the 1960 World Series that ended with a walk-off home run by Bill Mazeroski. He also witnessed Franco Harris’ Immaculate Reception in the 1972 AFC divisional playoffs. He was a master storyteller and these two events became part of his vast repertoire.

Sam is survived by his loving wife, Lois; his children, Sam, Jr. (Myron) and Nina Brugel (Eric); his five cherished grandchildren: Ben and Mabel Smith, Nicole and Luke Brugel, and Cara Brugel Bhalla (Ankur); his sister, Carm; and a multitude of loving family and friends.

There are so many things we will miss about Sam, not the least of which includes his legendary meatballs. His favorite toast at every gathering was always, “Alla famiglia un cento’anni.” This means, “our family for a hundred years.” He almost made it all those 100 years.

A public visitation will take place on Thursday, July 18, from 4-7 PM at Money & King Funeral Home in Vienna, VA. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, July 19, at 11 AM at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Vienna, VA.

At a later date, interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery with full honors.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Boredom Busters charity https://boredom-busters.org/