OBITUARY: Samuel Fuller, Jr., 92

Below is an obituary from Burns Funeral Home:

BILLERICA, MA — Samuel Fuller, Jr. was born on February 25, 1929 and passed away on February 22, 2022.

Sam was born and raised in East Bridgewater, MA. He grew up in a large colonial home with lots of extended family and enjoyed living in the country with many pets including a horse. He had many happy oceanfront summer memories at the family cottage in Rocky Nook, Kingston, MA. Sam was a direct descendant of Dr. Samuel Fuller of Plimoth Plantation
and the Mayflower. In the 1940’s his father’s job was relocated to Oak Ridge, Tennessee and the family spent two years in the south where he ran track in high school. They eventually returned to East Bridgewater, and Sam graduated from East Bridgewater High School and Wentworth Technical College.

Sam served his country during the Korean war, where he was stationed in Germany. When he returned home he married his sweetheart Dorothy Anne Snell in 1953. Sam and Dorothy lived in Brockton, MA, for the first years of their marriage and then bought a home in Billerica, MA, where they lived for over 50 years and raised their sons Brian and Bruce. Sam was employed at Textron Inc. in Wilmington, MA for 29 years. During his employment at Textron he was involved with working on government testing that he couldn’t discuss. Years later he did however admit that he worked on the heat shield used on the Apollo 13 mission for NASA in 1970. When the Astronauts encountered mechanical problems during re-entry the heat shield was vital to their protection and ultimately saved their lives.

Sam was a self taught artist and began painting in his 40’s for relaxation. He painted for friends and family and did some commission work. He showed his paintings in art shows in Lexington and in Maine. When Sam was in his late 80’s one of his lifelong dreams was fulfilled when he was able to have a show with the complete collection of his work. His entire family and many friends were able to attend.

Sam loved his sons and when his two granddaughters came along his heart was full. He was an exceptional grandfather to them and later to his two great grandsons. Yearly trips to Cape Cod and Maine were highlights for Sam as he had his entire family together. He always said he wanted to buy a big family compound so we could all be together all the time.

Sam was the son of the late Samuel Fuller Sr. and the late Marion (Todd) Fuller. He was predeceased by his sisters Mrs. Russell (Eleanor) Howard and Mrs. Charles (Lorraine) Ingalls, and his brother in-law and best friend Russell Howard. Sam was predeceased by his wife of 68 years, Dorothy. He also leaves behind his sons, Brian S. Fuller and his partner Carrie Bickford of Rockland, ME and Bruce J. and his wife Pat Fuller of Newfields, NH., Granddaughters, Harmony Fuller and her son Maddox Young of Rockland, ME and Sally Fuller and her partner Josh Curtis and their Sam of Spruce Head, ME, and many nieces and nephews. Sam was a devoted and patient husband and a loving and caring father and grandfather.

The legacy of a man isn’t measured by what he has done, but by how much he is loved. Everybody loved Sam, he made people smile and was kind hearted. He seemed to pick up friends everywhere he went. He will be missed.

Funeral will be at Burns Funeral Home, 354 Boston Rd. Billerica, MA on Monday, February 28, 2022 at 11:00am. Interment at Fox Hill Cemetery. Relatives and friends invited.