Obituary of Samuel J. Faiello

Samuel J. Faiello, of Delaware Township and previously a longtime Madison resident, passed away peacefully at home after a long illness on Monday, October 2, 2023. He was 89.

Sam was born in Newark on May 2, 1934, to the late Carmine and Angelina Faiello. He graduated from Seton Hall Prep High School in South Orange and went on to obtain his bachelor’s degree in English from Bucknell University, and his master’s degree in Journalism from Columbia University. 

Sam served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1958 and was stationed in Germany. After returning from his military service, he resided in Newark until 1962 when he began researching the best New Jersey towns in which to live. Madison was the clear winner.  Sam and his wife, Carmel Antonio Faiello, raised their children Dean and Debra and lived there for over thirty years. He later moved to Panther Valley and married Joan Stevenson.  They lived in Panther Valley for forty years prior to moving to Delaware Township in 2010.

In 1965, Sam established a successful public relations firm, SJF Associates, in Parsippany, which thrived for more than forty years. He was deeply devoted to his work and causes that improved the lives of NJ residents. His firm was selected to conduct feasibility studies and then spearhead a fundraising campaign to build the Liberty Science Center at Liberty State Park.  Sam raised 28 million dollars from corporations that included Kodak, Merck, Warner Lambert, and Allied Chemical, among many generous corporations.  The State of NJ donated 15 million along with 10 million from the federal government.  The Star Ledger wrote an article praising his perseverance on this project that began in early 1984, culminating with the groundbreaking ceremony in 1992 with Governor Kean and Congressman Guarini.  The editor of The Star Ledger, Mort Pie, wrote “without your steadfast leadership there would not be a state-of-the-art science museum in New Jersey.” 

Sam worked on Richard Nixon’s presidential campaign in 1968.  He also worked with several awareness groups fighting against chemical additives, such as fluoride, to public drinking water. For his outstanding achievements, Sam was honored by the Public Relations Society of America with their highest award.  

After the unexpected death of his father Carmine, who built and operated Shore Water Company in South Seaside Park, Samuel and his sister Gloria took over its operation. The company is still family owned, and operated by his nieces Jill and Joy.

In his retirement, Sam remained active with his wife Joan in local causes by creating groups such as COAT (Citizens of Allamuchy Township) to preserve open space, especially farmland and undeveloped rural areas.  Sam published three novels: Shadow of Guilt, Shadow of Love, and Deception, under the pen name Samuel Jay, which earned critical acclaim. His first novel was awarded first place in fiction at the Hollywood book festival.

Sam will be remembered for his legendary storytelling, and deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Sam is survived by his daughter, Debra Faiello; his son, Dean Faiello; his sister, Gloria Stuart; many nieces and nephews and dear friends.  He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Joan B. Faiello (Stevenson) in 2022. 

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend the visitation for Sam on Friday, October 13th from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison. A funeral service will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home during the visitation. 

On Saturday, October 14th relatives and friends may assemble at the funeral home at 8:45 a.m. prior to a committal service held at Hollywood Memorial Park in Union at 10:00 a.m. for entombment.  

Charitable contributions may be made in Sam’s memory to the Parkinson’s Foundation @ https://www.parkinson.org/how-to-help