Samuel William Polis

Samuel W. ‘Red’ Polis, formally of Center Twp., went to be with the Lord on February 8, 2016, after a short illness.  He was 77 years old.Born on May 2, 1938, in Aliquippa, PA, Sam was the son of the late Samuel and Helen (Dydek) Polis.  Preceded in death by his beautiful wife, Zona (Winkle); his benevolent son-in-law, Richard F. Beisheim, Jr.; sister, Margaret (Peggy Joseph) and brothers, James, John and Francis.Sam lived his life with integrity, strong work ethics, compassion and the willingness to always help others.  He was a devoted, loving and faithful husband of 47 years to the late Zona, a hard-working, patient and forgiving father and affectionate grandfather.  He graduated from Aliquippa HS in 1956 and he proudly served in the U.S. Air Force from 1956-1960.  Sam attended basic training at Lackland AFB and completed technical school at Lowry AFB., CO.  He was a Security Forces Specialist with assignments at Lowery, CO, Shaw, SC and Osan, South Korea, Air Force bases where he was responsible for entry control points and protection of Strategic Air Command’s bombers during the Cold War.  He was reassigned as a Radio-Radar Systems Helper with the 42D Bombardment Wing, Combat Defense Squadron at Loring AFB, ME and was honorably discharged as an Airman Second Class.   He was employed for 44 years with J&L Steel/LTV as a Welder in the Boiler Shop, Sinter Plant, Blast Furnace and Tin Mill.  He retired from LTV Aliquippa Works in 2000 when the plant closed.  He furthered his work history with Manheim Auto Auctions in 2001 and finally retired 2006.Sam was a lifetime member of St. George Byzantine Catholic Church and Turners Social. He was also a member of the United Steelworkers of America, Local 1221, Aliquippa.  Sam was actively involved with his truest passion, the preservation and restoration of antique radios.  He served on the board with the Pittsburgh Antique Radio Society and was actively involved with the Central Ohio Radio Assn. and American Wireless Assn., Rochester, NY amongst others throughout the Eastern US.Sam is survived by his three daughters, Shari R. Brewer and Stacy M. Beisheim both of Atlanta, GA, and Shelly L. Parks and husband Dan, of Nashville, TN; his two precious granddaughters, Ella Grace and Charlotte Parks, and one sister, Jean Pallow, Center Twp.Friends will be received Thursday, February 11, 2016, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the SIMPSON FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, 1119 Washington Ave., Monaca (724-728-4000).   Parastas will be held on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. in the funeral home.  Family and friends will meet in the funeral home for a family eulogy and remembrances at 9:00 a.m. on Friday.  A Divine Liturgy for the repose of his soul will be held Friday, at 10 a.m. at St. George Byzantine Catholic Church, 1001 Clinton St., Aliquippa PA.  Entombment will follow at Sylvania Hills Mausoleum with full military honors provided by the Beaver County Special Unit.Memorial contributions may be made, if desired to Beaver County Special Unit, c/o American Legion, Post 580, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., Monaca, PA 15061 or to Pittsburgh Antique Radio Society (P.A.R.S) ATTN: Tom Dixon 448 South Meadowcroft Ave, Pittsburgh, PA  15228.Sam’s daughters would like to especially acknowledge the unconditional love and support received from Helen Vidovich, Kira Rossi Persuitte and family, Dawn Stefanik, Tom Hunt and Delbert Ash during their father’s illness.To share online condolences, get directions and other information, please visit simpsonfuneralhome.com.