It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our friend Sam Melillo on March 28, 2020, after a long battle with PSP, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Sam was our partner, mentor, leader, founder and so much more….
We will miss him greatly!
As many of you are well aware, Sam retired in 2011 after a long and storied career in the practice of Landscape Architecture. With an undergraduate degree from Rutgers and a Master’s degree from U. Mass, Sam spent his early years at the firm of Zion and Breen Associates. It was during those years that Sam met Tom Bauer. In 1979 Sam and Tom “jumped ship” with the dream of establishing their firm. In Sam’s backyard garage loft, that vision became a reality. That two-man start-up blossomed into one of the northeast’s most respected, dynamic and successful firms which continues to grow and prosper today….
We will miss him greatly!
Sam’s dedication to excellence in design and exceptional service to his clients became the hallmark of the office culture. Sam was loved by so many for so many reasons…. He was bright, practical, creative, sensible, knowledgeable and full of wisdom. Recognized for his public speaking abilities and presentation skills, Sam was the Go-To Guy for an endless array of clients. In 2008, Sam was elected to the Council of Fellows of the American Society of Landscape Architect in recognition of his design excellence and outstanding contributions to the profession, the culmination of his long and successful professional career. Over the many years of his practice, Sam mentored a long list of young landscape architects who have moved on to become leaders in the profession. Included in this group is his son, Joe, who carries on his father’s legacy as a partner in the firm. Sam’s influence will be deeply felt for many years to come.
We will miss him greatly!
Sam’s lifelong passions centered around fishing, woodworking, traveling and spending time with family and friends. Most summer weekends found him on his boat, the Four-Pak, headed out to the wrecks off of the Jersey Shore or in later years trolling for Tuna in the Canyons on his sportfishing boat, FisHooks.
A celebration of life will be announced at a later date in his honor. A tribute fund in Sam’s name may be found at CurePSP psp.org/melillo