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ESCANABA -- Samuel A. Trentin, 78, of Escanaba, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 18, 2026, at his son's home in DeWitt, Michigan.
He was born on August 15, 1948, in Escanaba, the son of Patrick and Patricia (Donovan) Trentin. Sam graduated from Escanaba High School and went on to serve his country in the U.S. Army from 1968 until his honorable discharge in 1971. During his military service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Sharpshooter Badge.
Sam worked as a millwright and the business agent for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Millwrights, retiring in 2004. He took great pride in his trade and remained deeply dedicated to his union brothers and sisters throughout his life.
Generosity was simply part of who Sam was. He was always willing to help his family and friends and rarely sought recognition for doing so. Each December, one of his favorite traditions was filling several shopping carts with hundreds of dollars’ worth of toys for Toys for Tots. He didn’t do it for attention or praise; he did it because making life a little better for someone else--especially a child--mattered to him.
Sam was also a devoted father and grandfather. When his children, Athena and Christopher, were growing up, he spent countless hours coaching their baseball teams, giving his time not only to his own children but to generations of young players. His generosity with his time, knowledge, and resources continued throughout his life, and his family and friends knew that when they needed him, Sam would be there.
Outside of work and family, Sam enjoyed golfing, playing poker, woodworking, and his Corvettes. He appreciated his summer golf crew, poker nights at the casino, working with his hands, and time spent with the people he cared about.
Sam is survived by his children, Athena Trentin (Robert Dye) of Milford, Delaware, and Christopher Trentin (Brandy) of DeWitt, Michigan; grandchildren, Maddie Trentin and Collin Trentin; aunt, Kathleen Knecht; siblings, Victoria Bogenscheutz (David) and Scott Johns (Lisa); nephew, Eric Frank; and Eric's son, Everest "EJ" Josiah.
Visitation will be held Friday, September 25, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Crawford Funeral Home, 302 S. 13th St., Escanaba. At 1:00 p.m., family and friends are invited to share memories and stories as they celebrate a life well lived. Entombment will immediately follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.
The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that Sam’s generosity be carried forward through a donation to one of the nonprofit organizations he supported: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Shriners Children’s, or Kathy’s House in Milwaukee, WI.
