Samuel Lackeyram

Waltham - Mr. Samuel Lackeyram, of Waltham, died Thursday, October 25, 2018 at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. He was 79.

Sam was born on October 13, 1939 in Tunapuna, Trinidad, a son of the late John and Hilda (Ramdhani) Lackeyram. Raised and educated in Trinidad, he settled in Diego Martin. Sadly, Sam's wife Cowsilla Dolly 'DooDoo' Maraj died shortly before the family left their homeland and emigrated to the United States in 1988.

Never afraid of hard work he got his first job in Trinidad at the age of 18 as a groundskeeper and ticket taker at the Starlite Drive-In. He later worked as a school security officer and as a farmer. He possessed a green thumb all his life and took his gardening talents with him to America.

After the move he found work at the Walter E. Fernald State School in Waltham as a janitor and later became a human services worker assisting residents with daily living needs. It was at Fernald where he met Cheryl Thompson of Waltham and the two became lifelong partners and companions. He moved to Waltham twenty-six years ago and while working at the Fernald he worked part-time for the Marriott Corporation. In 2006, he medically retired from the Fernald.

Sam led a full and varied life and met the challenges that he faced with a smile and determination. A man of many talents he considered himself the family doctor and became an expert holistic healer. He was an avid reader and self taught in topics that interested him . . . and became an authority on many subjects. Sam's family would agree that he was never afraid to share his point of view.

He also knew his way around the kitchen and could be counted on to enjoy favorite dishes from home like doubles and fried bake and boljol. He was also a card enthusiast whose favorite game was 'All Fours', a game native to Trinidad where Sam was the captain of the 'Smashers' team in tournament. He loved to fish and enjoyed trying his hand at the casino at Foxwoods and playing Caribbean poker.

In addition to his partner and companion, Cheryl, he leaves his children, Leon 'Gary' Lackiram and his wife, Dianne of Nashua, New Hampshire, Liza Llanos and her husband, Bernard, of Maynard, Linda Clayton and her husband, Jefferey, of Milford, Samantha Lackeyram-Owen of Waltham and Sean Lackeyram-Owen of Waltham; his step-son, Tommy Thompson and his wife, Lauren, of Pelham, New Hampshire; his grandchildren, Leon and Sofia Lackiram, Brandon and Lena Llanos, Rishab and Aolani Clayton, Sina and Shayan Rostamnezhad and Abigail and Annalyse Thompson; his siblings, Rosie, Theresa, Lenore and Theo and many nieces and nephews including Reann Rostamnezhad and her husband, Behourz, of Belmont.

Sam was also the father of the late Lenora 'Rani' Lackiram, and brother to the late Rita, Willma, Gracie, and Michael Lackeyram.

Family and friends will honor and remember Sam's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Thursday, November 1st from 4 to 8 p.m. and again on Friday morning when his funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Final commendation and cremation rites will follow at Newton Cemetery Chapel, 719 Walnut Street, Newton.

Following the funeral services the family invites everyone to join them for A Celebration of Sam's Life at the Waltham Sons of Italy, 99 Cedar Street, Waltham.