Dr. Sam Jim Citrano, Sr., 94 of Huntsville, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, July 26, 2020. Dr. Citrano was a native of Huntsville, Alabama. He attended St. Mary Catholic grade school and graduated from Huntsville High School in 1947. He was drafted into the United States Army in his junior year of high school in June 1944 to serve in World War II. He took his basic training at Fort Hood, Texas.
After basic training, he went to Deppe, France and Aachen, Germany where he served in the 658th Field under General Patton. In June 1945, he went onto Rigesburg, Germany and then to Durlach, Germany where he boarded the ship USS Gibson and returned to the U.S. for his honorable discharge at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In June 1946 he returned home to Huntsville, Alabama to complete his high school education.
Dr. Citrano graduated from the University of Alabama in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. Dr. Citrano graduated from the University of Alabama School of Dentistry in 1955. He was a member of the fourth graduating class at the University of Alabama School of Dentistry. He was the thirteenth dentist in Huntsville and he was instrumental in getting fluoride in the drinking water in Huntsville. He practiced dentistry for 54 years in Huntsville.
He was a faithful member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus, 3rd Degree. He was President of the Huntsville-Madison County Dental society, a member of the American Dental Association, Alabama Dental Association, and the 8th District Dental Society. He was president of the Huntsville Lions Club and was involved in various organizations in the community. He was an avid Alabama football fan and always looked forward to football season. He worked as a newspaper carrier for the Huntsville Times in his younger days alongside his brother, John.
Dr. Citrano was preceded in death by his wife, Elda Katherine Corsale Citrano, whom he married in 1957. He was also predeceased by his parents, Louis and Zina (Maranto) Citrano; sisters, Sadie Anzek and Constance Canagio, and his brother, John Citrano. He is survived by four daughters, Lisa Citrano, RPh of Huntsville, Karen Watson of Daphne, Amy Mayben (Jim) and Donna Counts (Michael) all of Huntsville; two sons, Deacon Louis Citrano and Dr. Sam Jim Citrano, Jr., both of Huntsville; three grandchildren, Jordan Counts, Samantha Counts, and Mary Catherine Watson; one sister, Mary Jane Noto of Birmingham, Alabama and numerous relatives. He is also survived by his faithful caregiver, Charles Swaim.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday July 29, with a Rosary and Vigil service at 7:00 P.M. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 625 Airport Road, Huntsville, AL. The Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, July 30th at Holy Spirit Catholic Church at 10:00 A.M. with Father Michael MacMahon as Celebrant and Father Jonathan Howell as Concelebrant. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Michael Counts, Jordan Counts, Jim Mayben, Robert Smith, Robert Leslie and Todd Case.
Dr. Citrano was loved by all he met and will be greatly missed especially by his cat, Mr. Kitty.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 625 Airport Road Huntsville, Alabama 35801; Saint John Paul II Catholic High School, 7301 Madison Pike Huntsville, Alabama 35806; The Lions International 300 W. 22nd Street Oakbrook, Illinois 60523; The Community Free Dental Clinic 2341 Whitesburg Dr. Huntsville, Alabama 35801; The UAB School of Dentistry Class of 1955 Endowed Support Fund, care of J. Scott Huffman, UASOD Alumni Association Executive Director, SDB 214, 1720 2nd Ave. South, Birmingham, Alabama 35294; or Saint Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church, 222 Jefferson St. Huntsville, Alabama 35801.
