Samuel James Brehm
April 22, 1944 - January 2, 2021 (Age 76)
Cumberland—Samuel James “Sam” Brehm, I, 76, of Cumberland, passed away on Saturday, January 2, 2021, at UPMC Western Maryland.
Born in Cumberland, MD, on April 22, 1944, he was the son of the late Melvin and Josephine “Josie” (Lisanti) Brehm. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Patrick Brehm; brothers, Leo Brehm and wife, Madaline, and Gene Brehm; sister, Connie Ritchie and husband, “Buck;” mother of his older children, Lucille (Eppolite) Brehm Bennage; brother-in-law, Wayne Adams.
Sam was a graduate of LaSalle High School, class of 1962. Following high school, he was employed by the Cumberland Blouse Factory in Cumberland. At the Blouse Factory, he was manager of the cutting room, and he later became the Quality Control Manager with the Liz Claiborne Company in New York City. This position took him to Guatemala. When the garment industry left their production facilities in the United States, Sam went into the furniture industry where he was the owner and operator of Beds For Less on Frederick Street in Cumberland. Sam’s passion was his family, and he enjoyed traveling the world.
Sam is survived by his sister, Tina Adams; mother of his younger children, Joan (Bowman) Brehm; children, Michelle Howsare and husband, Michael, Samuel J. Brehm, II, Regina Bilka and husband, Michael, Marc Brehm, Bradley Brehm and wife, Allison, Brian Brehm and Jean Wanders, Amy Custer and husband, Christopher, Andrew Brehm and Stephanie Bond, and Matthew Brehm and Shannon DeHaven; daughter-in-law, Stacey Brehm. Sam is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
According to Sam’s wishes, he will be cremated. Due to health care considerations, there will be no formal visitation or funeral service at this time.
A celebration of Sam’s life will be conducted at Restlawn Memorial Gardens, LaVale, on Saturday, August 7, 2021, at 11 a.m. with Chaplain Bruce McBride officiating. Inurnment will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of sending flowers, those wishing to honor Sam’s memory may do so by making contributions toward his funeral expenses at Scarpelli Funeral Home, P.A., 108 Virginia Avenue, Cumberland, MD 21502.
