Samuel M. Macera, 94, of Waterville, Ohio passed away at home on November 4, 2023. He was born August 23, 1929 in Bridgeton, New Jersey to the late Antonio and Francesca (Ferullo) Macera. He married Janet Middleton on September 15, 1956 and she preceded him in death on April 16, 2020.
Sam served his country proudly in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany from 1951-1953. He taught Social Studies at Bridgeton High School for seven years. In 1965, he moved his family to Waterville, Ohio to begin his career as a Quality Control Manager at the Hunt-Wesson Foods Rossford plant. He retired from Hunt-Wesson in 1991.
Sam joined Waterville Playshop in 1970 and since that time had been a very active and contributing member. He served in every position on the Board except Membership and was Chair three times. He was Marty Beaber’s musical director for 14 shows and directed 22 on his own. Sam directed for the Grand Rapids Historical Society summer musical for 25 years. With Marty Beaber and JoAnna Umlauf, he helped create Juke Box Saturday Night, a traveling, musical variety show that performed throughout Northwest Ohio for 30 years. He was musical director for “Sounds of the Season” (1992-1998) televised on WGTE-13 and for the Christmas Concerts (2010-2014) presented at Zion Lutheran Church. With Pat Dickey, as editor or co-editor, they amassed numerous “outstanding” (highest) awards from OCTA for the Playshop Newsletter Calls & Cues. He was also the resident printer for Playshop for 30 years. For his hard work and dedication, Sam was awarded the first Spirit Award in 1998, the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008 and in 2010 was the first Playshop member inducted into the Ohio Community Theatre Association’s Hall of Fame. In 2019, he published The Waterville Playshop: A History 1952-2018. He also played bass for countless Playshop productions.
He was recognized by The Mirror in 2019 as a General’s Hero. Sam was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Waterville where he sang in the choir and was very involved in organizing dramas and musicals. He was active in volunteering for Waterville’s annual Roche De Boeuf Festival. Sam played tennis in senior leagues, most recently at Belmont Country Club, until February 2023.
Sam was a talented photographer and liked spending time camping, hiking and always looked forward to trips to Mackinaw City with his friends.
He is survived by his children Sue (Lewis) Chandler, Andy (Myrlene) Macera, Lynne (Kevin) Helman and Beth (Brad) Hertzfeld, grandchildren Chrystel Wilkins, Bryan Chandler, Francesca Macera, Gabriela Macera, Amy Giffor, Jessica Peart, Jennifer Brier and Taylor Studyvin as well as 14 great-grandchildren.
Sam was preceded in death by his parents, wife Janet, grandson Trevor Hertzfeld and siblings John Macera, Paul Macera, Florence Bacon, Dominic Macera, Mary Scarlato, Joe Macera and Mike Macera.
Visitation will be held on Friday November 10, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Peinert-Dunn Funeral Home, 7220 Dutch Rd. Waterville, Ohio 43566. His funeral service will be held on Saturday November 11, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 22 North Second St. Waterville, Ohio 43566. Pastor Meg Boger will officiate. Additional visitation will be held Saturday morning at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be given in his memory to The American Cancer Society or the Toledo Humane Society.
To share an online condolence or fond memory with the family please visit www.dunnfuneralhome.com.
