from Todd Haight

Rochester, NY — Samuel M. Camarata passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday (Dec. 24) at age 79.

Early in his life, Camarata developed a love of harness racing after regularly attending Roosevelt and Yonkers Raceway while working in New York City. He later started the Cam Car Stable that featured most of his horses using the Cam Car surname. His most successful horse was Cam Car Express (Precious Bunny-Cam Car Mystery, 1:52.1m) who earned in excess of $165,000 lifetime.

Camarata was a retired postmaster, coached Little League baseball and Pop Warner football. He was also a lifelong New York Yankee and Syracuse Orange basketball fan.

Camarata is predeceased by his daughter, Kim Marie Camarata; son, Anthony Camarata; brother, Anthony C. Camarata; brother-in-law, Robert Carafice. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Janet M. (Carafice) Camarata, son, Mark S. (Kimberli) Camarata; daughter Cheryl A. (Michael) Thornberg; daughter-in-law Suzanne Camarata; Kim Marie’s partner, Sharon Weins; grandchildren, Caralyn and Elizabeth Camarata, Nicole and Brittany Parisi, Gerry and David Thornberg, Dr. Sam (Erin) Camarata, Joelle Camarata; great grandchildren, Madalyn and Zoe Plimpton, Anthony J. Camarata; sister Pauline (Stanley) Tucciarello, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Sheila Carafice, Louis and Kathy Fracassi, Maria and Fred Costanza; many, nieces, nephews, cousins and wonderful friends.

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