Samuel Modena (24 May 1975 - 7 Feb 2023)

In loving memory of our brother Samuel Edward Bruno Modena who sadly passed away on 7th February 2023 aged 47 years old. He will be greatly missed by his four siblings Annette, Monique, Gianni, and Jak, as well as the wider family and his friends in Wales and further afield.

Sam will be remembered for his kindness and generosity. He enjoyed spending the months leading up to Christmas working out what his family and friends would like or need, and his thoughtfulness showed in the lovely gifts he would give to everyone. He was sharp witted and always quick with a joke or a remark to bring a smile to our faces. Sam was a very accomplished pianist, focusing on jazz and blues, and it would be lovely to hear his sweet music travelling through the house at Christmas and other family events.

Sam's early life involved a few different houses as Sam’s parents Penny and Dario worked and provided for the growing family. He lived in Luton and Greenford, before finally moving to Higham in Kent where he spent his secondary school years. In his childhood years, Sam was full of energy and enjoyed lots of clubs and activities, including Karate, music lessons, Boys Brigade, and attended St John’s Church in Higham. He would continue to visit the church every time that he came back to visit in Higham and had a long-standing connection with the priest and community in the village.

Sam was an intelligent and focused man. In his early twenties he moved into his own home in Gravesend and proceeded to work whilst simultaneously studying for a qualification to teach English as a second language at Trinity College, Cambridge. Using this qualification Sam would go on to teach at Canterbury University, and later abroad in Poland. He worked four days a week in Warsaw and spent the long weekends living in the countryside in the beautiful and picturesque town of Suwałki. Sam had a great tenacity when he put his mind to something, and this showed in his ability and desire to challenge himself in his choice of work, location, and learning a new language at the same time!

Sam struggled throughout his life with his mental health over several years. Despite the challenges that he faced, Sam maintained his independence throughout his life with support from his family and friends around him. With this support and desire to live his life in the way that he wanted to, Sam was able to move and live in different cities in the UK. In 2008, Sam moved to Aberdeen, and despite the cold weather Sam loved the place and always said the people were very warm and friendly. It was here that Sam completed a Diploma in Philosophy and Psychology at the University of Aberdeen, scoring a High Merit overall.

After six years in Aberdeen followed by a short stay in Kent, Sam moved to Llannelli in Wales in 2014, where he spent 8 happy years living in Felinfoel, a small suburb of Llanelli. During his time in Wales Sam engaged with the surrounding community and was a member of the gym, church, and even volunteered at a local dog’s centre, walking the dogs in the grounds of the rescue centre.

Sam enjoyed travelling and in the past few years had been to Thailand twice to take part in a kick-boxing retreat, and in recent years spent three summers in Italy. He loved to be somewhere hot and really enjoyed these holidays to the beach and to hot countries. He loved spending time with his nephews, Luca and Enzo, and always had a present or sweet treat ready for them. His kindness always shone through like that, and this extended to the family dogs Rosie and Minnie. They will miss the dog bones he would bring home for them.

Please feel free to record your memories of Sam and upload your special photos. You will also find a link to the funeral arrangements and a Just Giving page where donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the charity MIND, who were a great support to Sam.

You will also see an Attendance button. Please use this to let us know if you can join us for both the funeral and the reception after at Higham Village Club.