Samuel “Sam” Stoy, age 25, of Norfolk, VA passed away on June 1st, 2024.
Those that knew Sam have all spoken of his character, politeness, determination and humor. Sam had managed to have an incredible number of experiences in such a short time.
Growing up in Lake Villa, IL Sam graduated Lakes Community High School in 2017. He was a starter on the tennis team and was a percussionist in the high school band. Sam was involved in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, the church youth group and contemporary worship band at Shepherd of the Lakes Church in Grayslake, IL. He took up SCUBA diving at the age of 13 and had achieved advanced certification when he was 15. It was Sam’s dream to become a commercial diver. In 2015 he was selected for the People to People student ambassador program and traveled to Australia where he had the amazing opportunity to dive on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
In 2019 he joined the Navy. Sam’s last active duty assignment was in Washington DC at Joint Base Andrews. He left active duty in 2023 and continued in the Navy reserves while also attending Tidewater Tech to gain his welding certification. He completed the requirements for graduation shortly before his death and his parents, Jeff and Lisa Stoy attended the school’s commencement ceremony to receive his diploma and an award for excellence.
Sam was a fitness enthusiast. He had been a Command Fitness Leader at Andrews and competed regularly in CrossFit events. He encouraged others to challenge themselves to reach their goal and was regularly heard to say “C’mon, you can do one more!” His smile and positive attitude were always present. His peers in his graduating class referred to him as “Captain America”. Sam is survived by his parents Jeff and Lisa, and his brother Anders. Also his grandparents John and Sue Stoy of Springboro, OH and Dick and Lori Haugen of Prior Lake, MN. Sam is preceded in death by grandparents John and Judy Cilla of Edina, MN.
A memorial service is planned for 11am on Saturday, July 27th, 2024 with the visitation, 1 hour prior at Word of Peace Lutheran Church, 21705 129th Avenue North, Rogers, MN 55374. A celebration of Sam’s life will be held shortly after at the home of Jeff and Lisa Stoy, in Rogers, Minnesota. In lieu of flowers/plants, a scholarship award for Tidewater Tech welding students has been established and support for that is welcome. It is named as the “Sam Stoy – Captain America” scholarship.