Samuel M. Comunale, 94, of Bethlehem, died Sunday, October 16, 2011 in Southbury. He was predeceased by his first wife Edith and his second wife Wilmary McBain Comunale, who died in 2004. Sam and Wilmary were longtime residents of Bethlehem. Sam was born August 22, 1917 in Waterbury, son of the late Pasquale and Theresa Togno Comunale. He retired as a driver for Aljim Wholesale Grocers of Waterbury. Sam was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in 1948. For almost 40 years, up to his death, he served as an Elder in the Woodbury Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses and was instrumental in overseeing the establishment of the congregation in the early 1970's and the construction of their Kingdom Hall a few years later. Prior to that, he was Presiding Elder in the Naugatuck Congregation for about 20 years. He was a dedicated student and teacher of the Bible and was still an active participant until shortly before his death. He was highly respected and will be fondly remembered by Jehovah's Witnesses throughout western Connecticut. He is survived by his sister, Lena Travers and her husband Richard Travers of New Milford; his stepson William McBain and wife Cynthia of Tucson, AZ and step grandson Christopher McBain of Waterbury.

Cemetery: Cemetery Not Applicable

Location: Munson-Lovetere Woodbury

Funeral: Woodbury Kingdom Hall

Services: Memorial services will be held Saturday, October 22 at 2: 00 p.m. at the Woodbury Kingdom Hall, 8 Carmel Hill Road, Woodbury.

Visitation: There are no calling hours.