Sam Bevilacqua, Jr. “Uncle Jr.”

Sam Bevilacqua, Jr. “Uncle Jr.”, age 88, of Beaumont, passed away August 31, 2017. Uncle Jr. was born in Beaumont, Texas, December 20, 1928. He was a Korean War Army veteran.

He graduated from Beaumont High School in May 1946. He then enrolled and attended Lamar University and upon completion of prerequisite studies, he attended The University of Texas School of Pharmacy. He graduated UT in January 1951 and passed his Board of Pharmacy in February 1951. He owned and co-owned several pharmacies in Beaumont, which included Magnolia Pharmacy, with whom he co-owned with his long-time business partner and friend Frank J. Morrell. He also owned and operated Lucas-Save-U Pharmacy up to his retirement.

Uncle Jr. was a faithful member of Our Lady of The Assumption Catholic Church. He served the parish as a lector and on the finance committee. He was passionate in his faith and spiritual commitments despite the challenges life would bring about. He selflessly helped family, parish members and many customers who came his way. He would help anyone who simply asked even when they could not pay. In the words of family members when they heard he passed; “Uncle Jr. is the last of a generation of beautiful people who most importantly taught us how to be a family”, “He was always there for all”, “Very giving in love – gave money, jobs, cars, medication and religion”. “Uncle Jr’s personal and spiritual generosity was genuine and beyond compare”. He was a long-time member of the Pompano Club and enjoyed the music, dancing and fellowship found there. He was a member of the Spindletop Optimist Club where he served as president for a period of time. He too enjoyed golfing, his poker club card games, playing dominos and sharing weekends with his family and friends at Crystal Beach.

Uncle Jr. was preceded in death by his parents Salvatore “Sam” Bevilacqua and Antonina “Lena” Messina Bevilacqua, his brothers Joe Bevilacqua and his wife, Josephine; Charlie Bevilacqua and his wife, Pearl; and Vincent (Spike) Bevilacqua; his sisters, Camile Bevilacqua, Margaret Bonura and her husband, Lawrence; and Connie Citrano and her husband, Sam; his great-niece, Alicia Christine Bonura; and his wife, Pat Harrell Bevilacqua.

He is survived by many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great-great- nieces and nephews; and stepfamily members.

A gathering of Mr. Bevilacqua’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a Christian Vigil at 6:00 p.m., Sunday, September 10, 2017, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Monday, September 11, 2017, at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 4445 Avenue A, Beaumont, with entombment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 4445 Avenue A, Beaumont, Texas 77705.

The family extends a sincere thank you for the care given to Uncle Jr. from various physicians, Pelican Bay Assisted Living, his long-time caregivers, Joje Frantz, Versie Owens, Bobbie Williams, Pauline Richardson and Margaret Baltimore, his Eucharistic Minister, JoAnne Christine Bonura and our cousins, Carol Ann and Donnie Chirafis who served and assisted him many years.