Samuel Leo Lioon

Age 95, of Mt Lebanon, passed peacefully in his sleep Saturday morning November 19, 2016 after a several year battle with kidney disease. Born in Lebanon in 1921 to his American-born father & Lebanese-born mother. Sam started school at the early age of 4, attending the American School in Beirut where he learned French, English & Arabic.After 6 weeks at sea, with ports of call in Athens, Genoa, Marseille & Lisbon, Sam arrived in the USA in 1930.  He graduated from Pittsburgh's Fifth Avenue High School in 1940.  He then served his country proudly in the US Army Air Force during World War II with deployments to London, Paris & Ulm Germany where he was first introduced to mineral water, which spurred his life long career & interest as a pioneer in the nutritional industry.  He graduated from Duquesne University in 1951 and founded Hi-Vidomin Laboratories/HVL Inc/Douglas Laboratories from 1953-2005 with over 300 dedicated employees and over 10,000 loyal customers worldwide in the professional nutritional industry. An enthusiastic, expert player of backgammon, Sam could almost roll doubles at will.... after talking to the dice first of course.  He was a longtime supporter & parishioner of Our Lady of Victory Maronite Church (Scott Twp.) and of St. Bernard's Roman Catholic Church (Mt Lebanon). He was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Chapter 3084; and longtime member of both the Serra Club & Rotary Club of Pittsburgh. He was preceded in death by his father Leo, mother Wadad and sister Regina. He is survived by his wife Jacqueline Marie (Romito) of 63 years, sons L. Douglas (Michele Marcus) & Jeffrey David (Diane Fontanese); daughters Vivian Marie (Dave) Criner & Rebecca Susan (James) Pool; 13 grandchildren - Viv's: Emilie, Dennis (Nikki), Elissa (Ted); Doug's: Lauren (Gennaro), Samuel Michael (Jamie), Doug Jr. (Lauren); Jeff's: Jessica, Jeff Jr., Ian Samuel, Anthony; and Becky's: Ryan, Rachel & Nathan; & 3 great grandchildren; Mia, Declan & Theo. Family & Friends will be received at Laughlin Memorial Chapel 222 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon on Tuesday, November 22, 2-4pm & 6-8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St Bernard Church on Wednesday  November 23 at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Peters Twp. In lieu of flowers, send prayers & donations to St. Bernard’s Church (Mt. Lebanon) or St Vincent De Paul Society at St Bernard's Church. Both donations addressed to 311 Washington Rd., Mt. Lebanon, PA 15216. Sam, your great life will always be in all of our prayers, memories & hearts! We all love you.... now, always and forever.

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