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Samuel Robert Grunlund

Samuel Robert Grunlund

GREAT KILLS, N.Y. — We are devastated by the loss of our beloved son and brother, Samuel Robert Grunlund, 27, a native Staten Islander who excelled at school and sports in his youth.

Sam died suddenly in Delray Beach, Fla., on March 28, 2020, after years of struggling to overcome drug addiction.

He lived his entire life in the same house in Great Kills with his parents, Mark and Maura, and his sister, Megan, before moving to Florida in 2016. When Sam wasn’t working at his job in insurance sales, he was socializing with his friends at the beach and other attractions in the “Sunshine State.”

In his youth, Sam was a quick learner who had a tight circle of friends at St. Clare’s School in Great Kills. He studied at Monsignor Farrell High School in Oakwood and graduated from Moore Catholic High School in Graniteville in 2010. He attended the College of Staten Island in Willowbrook.

A talented athlete, Sam pitched on All Star Teams at the Great Kills Little League; in 2005, his 12-year-old team advanced to the New York State Little League championship game. He played baseball at Monsignor Farrell and Moore Catholic along with a variety of other organized sports throughout the years, including CYO basketball and soccer through St. Clare’s. He skateboarded, jogged, snowboarded, lifted weights and golfed.

Megan was “the best older sister in the world,” who protected and guided her brother. When they were growing up, they played, fought, made up, shared secrets and endlessly tried to con their parents. Sam came home from Florida to stand up in Megan’s wedding to James Wohltjen in 2016.

Sam loved fishing, hunting and sitting around the bonfire telling jokes with his grandpa Bob Grunlund at the family camp in Michigan. Ever the daredevil, Sam rode ATVs with cousin Tyler Grunlund on the many wooded trails; the first time when Sam was around four years old, he gripped the handlebars so tightly that he developed blisters.

Sam had over 20 cousins that he visited at family gatherings in Wisconsin, but John Demet was his favorite. Born only a few days apart in August 1992, Sam and Johnny spent weeks at a time together; they continued to call and text daily until Sam’s death.

Ten pounds at birth, Sam was late to walk, but quick to run and full of boundless energy. He was barely out of diapers when he learned wiffle ball, touch football, curbside basketball and other street sports by playing with his many friends in the neighborhood.

The family room at the Grunlund house was so filled with toys that it was difficult to clear a path to the sofa. Legos, Matchbox cars, trucks and green army men were among Sam’s favorite toys.

Sam, Megan and their friends spent idyllic summer days at the Great Kills Swim Club. They frolicked at beaches from Brooklyn to the New Jersey Shore, the Children’s Museum in Livingston and theme parks. They rode the highest, fastest roller coasters together at Six Flags Great Adventure.

The Grunlund family traveled extensively throughout the United States and spent some Easter vacations on beaches in the Caribbean. They took many trips to Orlando, Fla., most recently celebrating Sam’s last birthday at Universal Studios in August 2019.

Sam developed into a handsome, hard-working man who had a love of rap music, a hilarious sense of humor and killer dance moves. A video of him dancing at his sister’s engagement party was an internet sensation.

Sam was caring, compassionate, and always made time for friends and family. Wise beyond his years, he was known for his witty and insightful observations.

Despite actively participating in numerous drug-treatment programs starting at age 14, Sam was unable to achieve long-term sobriety.

Sam is survived by his parents and sister, grandmother, Margadette Demet of Milwaukee, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by his cousins, Crystal Charlevoix, Patrick and Colleen Demet, and grandparents, Frank Demet and Robert and Darlene Grunlund.

Due to the coronavirus, private burial arrangements are pending with Casey-McCallum Rice Funeral Home in Great Kills. A memorial Mass will be held at St. Clare R.C. Church in Great Kills on June 20 at 11 a.m.