Samuel Richard Plate of Manassas, Virginia, passed away quietly on Friday, May 22, 2020, at Prince William Hospital in Manassas due to Coronavirus. He was born on July 26, 1941, in Wheeling, West Virginia, and was the eldest son of Mary Elizabeth Druschel and Samuel Plate, who was killed during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.

Sam grew up in Wheeling with his mother, eight siblings, and his stepfather, Dominick Fragale, who was a true father to him. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1959 and attended West Liberty University with plans to become a teacher. His life was changed in 1964 when he joined the United States Army and served in Saigon, Vietnam. After his three years in military service, he was honorably discharged, and he subsequently moved to the Washington, DC, area. He resided in Alexandria, Virginia, and worked in the accounting department of the Washington Post for 27 years. But he never left his roots in West Virginia. He made countless trips back to Wheeling to spend time with the large family he loved, and where he was fondly referred to by all his siblings’ children as “Un-Cool Sam.”

He enjoyed life to the fullest, and along with his roommates and friends, he was happiest throwing parties, going on picnics, and taking road trips. He played on the Washington Post softball team and was an avid volleyball player. In 1972, he met Linda Morton of Rockville, Maryland, and in 1977, they were married. One year later, Sam was blessed with the birth of his daughter, Veronica Serafina Plate (Roni). They settled in Lake Ridge, Virginia, where Sam lived until Roni was grown. Sam was always active in his daughter’s life and enjoyed entertaining his neighbors and friends. He moved to Keyser, West Virginia, in 2006, where he lived for 10 years, happy to be back in his beloved West Virginia.

Sam was a lifelong baseball fanatic and spent many days following the New York Yankees and the Single-A baseball team, the Prince William/Potomac Nationals. He even offered housing to the local team’s players during the season. He was always proud to report that six minor league players he housed went on to play for Major League Baseball teams. He was also a dedicated fan of football—both the WVU Mountaineers and the Washington Redskins.

Sam was best known for his insatiable love of crossword puzzles, rhymes, and funny sayings. His strong knowledge of language made him a natural wordsmith, but he often made up this own words—goodbye became “bi-cycle”; Feliz Navidad became “fleas on your Dad.” Nothing was sacred from his word spaghetti.

Sam was a member of the American Legion Post #10 in Manassas; the VFW #6775 in McCoole, Maryland; and the Improved Order of Redmen in Westernport, Maryland.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Elizabeth Fragale; father, Samuel Plate; stepfather, Dominick Fragale; sister Sharon Shedore; and brother John Fragale. Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Veronica Hoban and husband Jason of Manassas; sisters Marlyn Plate Marling of Shadyside, OH, Janet Rosenberry and husband Jim of Wheeling, and Jill Jebbia and husband Josh of Wheeling; and brothers Anthony Fragale and wife Brenda of Trenton, NJ, Dan Fragale and wife Donna of Wheeling, and Donald Fragale of Wheeling. Sam leaves one beloved grandson, Braden Samuel Lindemuth, of Manassas, and many nieces, nephews, friends, and previous coworkers to honor his memory.

Memorial services will be held in Wheeling and Manassas at a future date due to current COVID-19 restrictions. Memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or the organization of your choice.

Online condolences may be submitted at bakerpostfh.com.

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