Samuel Joseph Schiel

Samuel Joseph Schiel passed away the morning of Saturday, September 19, 2020 at his sister Victoria & Doug’s home.  Sam will be forever remembered by his Mother Joan (Mumzy), brother Tom and wife Lisa, sister Victoria and Doug, sister Nancy and husband Steve.  His father John Schiel preceded him in death on July 31, 2020.

He was loved and adored by surviving nieces and nephews and their spouses: Mollie, Brendan, Nathan and Ananda, Sarah and Courtney, Megan and Todd, Matthew and Jane, Janet and Reed, Mary and Kosta, Christie and Tim, Tim and Caitlin, and their families that included 12 great-nephews and 8 great-nieces.

Sam was born in Denver Colorado on May 21, 1963.  His mother describes him as her ‘little peanut’ as he was just 17” and fit in his Dad’s forearm.  He was referred to as ‘little Sam’ as he had an uncle and great-grandfather of the same great name:  SAM!

Sam’s passion and life journey was:   MUSIC!!!

He was a ‘walking encyclopedia’ of knowledge about every genre of music.  Sam played in many well known bands as drummer and singer.  He worked for a couple of record/CD store venues most notably Wax Trax Records in the heart of Denver’s Capitol Hill.  The Wax Trax family was his ‘second family’.  He also worked with another family at Sprouts on Colfax.

Sam had an extensive love and knowledge of all things 1960’s-1970’s.  TV shows: Star Trek, Hogan’s Heroes, Match Game 75, Addams Family, Green Acres, Gilligan’s Island.  Music:  Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, The Beatles, The Who, The Doors, Sinatra and the ‘rat pack’, Brazil 66 and bossa nova.  His classical loves were Debussey, Tchaikovsky, and of course….Mozart!  His siblings saw his ‘likeness’ with Tom Hulce’s character as Mozart in the beautiful film Amadeus.

Sam was also a very gifted visual artist.  He created posters, graphic designs, intricate pen and ink works.  His home was a visual extravaganza, with hand painted designed walls…and memorabilia of all sorts.  Another work of art was his ‘stylish’ mode of dress in which he wore wide belts, corduroy bell-bottoms, Russian hats and jackets, cowboy hats, and his ‘purse’.

He faithfully had every Sunday visits to first his Dad at assisted living, where they would watch baseball, football, hockey.  He would then go to his mother’s for Sunday dinner and they would watch episodes of Mystery Science Theatre, Monty Python, Fawlty Towers.

During his last 18 months he worked diligently to help his body survive cancer through natural remedies.

His wish at the end was to spend his last days/weeks with family and friends, to celebrate our time together.  Unfortunately, that time was cut short.

Our solace is that all of us will always remember and celebrate his love of music, his unique sense of humor, and all the gifts he brought to all he touched. 

Due to the ongoing pandemic, a Memorial Service will be held for family and close friends. Please follow CDC and State COVID-19 guidelines by wearing a mask and social distancing. Thank you.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in memory of Samuel to Denver Hospice - click here: https://thedenverhospice.org/giving/give-donate/  or Swallow Hill Music - click here: https://swallowhillmusic.org/donate/ 

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