Remembering 'Mr. Southampton Days'

The man who helped shape Southampton Days, Sam Constantini, 72, passed away last Thursday after a long fight with cancer. By all accounts he was a valuable member of the community and a great man.

For over 40 years, Constantini had helped plan the annual parade and fair, in addition to being a member of the Inter-Service Club Committee and Southampton - Warminster Area Lions Club.

“Sam had a great personality,” said Southampton Days Committee Chairman Patrick Miller. “He was the friendliest person you could ever meet.” 

Constantini, who owned Banners and Sign Express in Bensalem, was an icon of the parade. Many people called him 'Mr. Southampton Days'.

Every year he rode a cart up the end of the July 4 parade route thanking everyone for coming out; this year the empty cart will towed at the end of the parade route to honor Constantini, Miller said.

Miller also said starting this year the parade will be renamed the Sam Constantini Annual Southampton Day's Parade.

Recently, Constantini won the Lions Club International President's Award. He was an avid member, along with his wife, Faith, and served as the president of the local club for many years.

Constantini was one of the select members of the Southampton Inter-Service Club who helped pick the town’s Citizen of the Year.

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Miller said Constantini was a man who loved putting the parade together for the children.

“He loved seeing the kids come play and have fun,” he said.

“Most people might remember him as the angry little guy that yelled a lot. To the ones that were close Sam will know him has the biggest heart you will EVER ...have the pleasure to meet. Sam was more concerned about everyone else before himself,” Glenn Roggio posted on the Southampton Days Facebook fan page.

“He never got mad at teenagers who would stand around the fair, getting in peoples way," Miller recalled.  "Sam would always go up to them and joke around and get them to move in a diplomatic way.”

Even in his last weeks, Constantini was attending meetings and giving his input on this year’s Southampton Days festivities, Miller said.

Constantini was born in Bristol and lived in Warrington before becoming an Upper Southampton resident for the past 47 years.

According to his obituary, Constantini served in the Air Force and was a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel parish. He was the father to two boys, James Vincent and Craig and the grandfather to Nichole and Katie. He had five brothers and sisters.

Visitation will be held from 10 - 11:30 a.m. Tuesday morning at . A memorial service will follow at 11:30 a.m.

In memory of Constantini it is asked that donations be made to the Southampton Day's Committee, P.O. Box 1580, Southampton, PA 18966 or Southampton Lions, P.O. Box 152, Southampton, PA 18966.