Obituary of Sante Fratesi

Passed away at the Algoma Residential Community Hospice (ARCH) in Sault Ste. Marie, ON, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at the age of 75, leaving behind a proud legacy as a husband, father, grand-father and a surgeon with a life-long commitment of service to his community.

The eldest child of the late Earl and the late Dina Fratesi, Sam was brought into this world in a home birth in what is now the Canal District of Sault Ste. Marie. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn (née Mihell), his daughters Lauren LaBerge (Rob) of Ottawa and Jennifer Fratesi (Daniel Vriend) of Toronto; and his grandchildren Tyler and Juliana LaBerge. He is also survived by his brothers Joe (Judy), the late Michael, and Steve (Linda Pekalski) (late Anna), his sister Mary Ann Borrelli (Aldo), and by numerous nieces and nephews. He was the son-in-law of the late Norm and the late Helene Mihell, and brother-in-law of James and Becky Mihell, all of Sault Ste. Marie.

A life-changing moment occurred for Sam at the age of 12, after being hit by a truck while walking to church in an early-morning snowstorm. It resulted in a year of recovery in hospital and at home, but also in him becoming bent on a career in medicine.

Graduating from St. Joseph’s Primary School and then St. Mary’s College in 1968, Sam attended medical school at Western in the class of 1974 and then completed a general surgery residency there in 1979. It was during this period that he met and married Marilyn, his loving wife of 49 years. Sam then completed a vascular surgery fellowship in Ottawa in 1981 and they (along with newborn Lauren) returned to Sault Ste. Marie where Sam opened a combined general and vascular surgery practice. Later in his career, he earned a Masters in Medical Education from the University of Dundee, Scotland, as well as a certification in Wound Care Management.

As the District of Algoma’s only vascular surgeon, Sam spent a career of self-sacrifice, always on call for vascular emergencies or to assist another surgeon with a complicated case. Many a local resident owes their life, limb or well-being to Sam’s focused care, working very long days with many lost nights’ sleep in the process.

Sam was a fierce advocate for his patients. Those who were fortunate enough to have him in their corner always got the best possible care without compromise. Late in the course of his own life journey, when he was having significant health problems of his own, he always somehow managed to summon the strength to make his way to the wound care clinic to care for his patients. His dedication, care and exceptional talents earned him several awards, but none were more cherished than those simple expressions of gratitude received during chance encounters with grateful former patients that he happened upon in stores, restaurants or at weddings. Those more personal tributes aside, in 2008 Sam was awarded the Hutchinson Award for distinguished contributions to health services in Sault Ste. Marie and the District of Algoma. In 2012 he received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal - awarded to Canadians in honour of notable achievements within their communities. 

Sam was also a passionate educator. He was a founding faculty member of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and an Associate Professor. In 2010, he received the PARO award in recognition of excellence in clinical teaching at NOSM. He took great joy in mentoring and teaching the next generation of physicians.

Sam was a life-long learner in many disciplines. As an example, he taught himself the intricacies of computer operating systems, delving into open-source coding and optimizing his devices with Arch Linux or building websites using HTML.

When not at work, Sam loved nothing better than to spend time with his family at their camp at Pointe des Chenes. He and Marilyn began many days kayaking before Sam would head to his beloved blueberry patch. Sam’s prowess as a blueberry picker was legendary, and he prided himself on picking both the first and last blueberries of the season. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, Tyler and Juliana, and took great pride in sharing news of their academic and sporting accomplishments. In recent years, Sam and Marilyn became regulars at the John Rhodes Centre aquabics program and made many close friends there.

Sam expected a lot from himself and from those within his orbit. Being inside what he called “the circle of trust” was a position of honour but also meant that your every effort would now be scrutinized to ensure it was your very best. He was immensely proud of his daughters’ many achievements, as well as those of their husbands, Rob and Daniel. Lauren and Jennifer honoured him by following in his career footsteps, practicing dermatology and radiology respectively.

The family would like to express its gratitude for the kindness, compassion and support of the many health care professionals and colleagues who made Sam’s own health journey these past several years more bearable. Those include Dr. M. Rassouli and his nurse Jen Robinson, Dr. N. Apostle, Dr. B. Entwistle, Dr. L. Castellani, Dr. M. Ludgate and Dr. C. Bruni. The family would also like to recognize and express its gratitude to the many angels at ARCH who helped make Sam as comfortable as possible in his last days.

Cremation has occurred, with a family celebration of Sam’s life to take place at a later date. A private family inurnment has taken place at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of service or visitation, Sam has asked that we honour his memory through acts of kindness and compassion towards those who are less fortunate or are burdened by loss or pain. Memorial donations to ARCH would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Northwood Funeral Home Cremation and Reception Centre (942 Great Northern Rd, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 0B6, 705-945-7758). Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.northwoodfuneral.com

I believe for every drop of rain that falls, a flower grows
I believe that somewhere in the darkest night, a candle glows
I believe for everyone who goes astray
Someone will come to show the way

-The Righteous Brothers