Samuel Joseph Traina Jr.

August 27, 1929 - June 5, 2020

On Friday, June 5th, 2020, Samuel Joseph Traina, Jr., loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 90. Sam (known to friends as Buddy) was born on August 27, 1929 in Palo Alto, California. He attended San Jose State University, where he was a star running back on the football team. On November 11, 1950, he married high school sweetheart Betty Jo Miller. They raised their daughter Paulette in Menlo Park, where they lived for 65 years before moving to El Dorado County in 2018. Buddy was a passionate outdoors man, hunter and taxidermist. He went on his last duck hunting trip just a few months before his death. His boundless energy and outgoing nature ensured a steady stream of life-long friends. Buddy was preceded in death by his father Samuel Sr., and his mother Alice. He is survived by his wife Betty, his daughter Paulette, and his grandchildren Nicolette and Sam. A memorial service was held on June 13th at Green Valley Mortuary in Rescue, and the burial was held on June 16th at Alta Mesa Cemetery in Palo Alto.