by The Meadowlands Media Relations Department
East Rutherford, NJ — Samuel (Sam) A. McKee, 54, died unexpectedly from stroke complications in the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation on March 8, 2017.
Mr. McKee was born March 24, 1962, in Mount Pleasant, Mich., the son of Alton E. and Donna J. (Viola) McKee and was raised in Linden, Mich. He married Christine M. Wilson April 29, 1988, in Smiths Creek, Mich.
Mr. McKee grew up on a farm where he trained and raced horses with his father and grandfather. He was calling races at county fairs by age 14 and in 2012, he was inducted into the Communicators Hall of Fame.
His immense passion for the harness racing industry goes unmatched to the love of his family. Mr. McKee enjoyed nothing more than spending time on their small Blairstown, N.J., farm, riding and caring for the horses.
Mr. McKee was preceded in death by his mother and is survived by his wife; three daughters, Meagan, Melissa and Lindsey; sister, Sally; father, Alton; and step-mother, Theresa.
Visitation will be held Sunday (March 12) at the Newbaker Funeral Home in Blairstown, N.J., from 1-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. A service will be held Monday (March 13) at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepard, also in Blairstown, at 12 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Harness Horse Youth Foundation, 16575 Carey Road, Westfield, IN 46074 or the American Heart and Stroke Association at donatenow.heart.org.
- Hall of Fame announcer Sam McKee, 54, dies (Wednesday, March 08, 2017)
Harnessracing.com is reporting that Communicators Hall of Famer Sam McKee, one of the most well-known and respected announcers in horse racing, died Wednesday (March 8), as a result of complications after suffering a major stroke early last month. He was 54.
- Remembering Sam McKee (Thursday, March 09, 2017)
It is impossible to put a figure on the number of lives touched by Sam McKee. Whether through his race calls, studio interviews, work at horse sales, or personal interactions, Sam left an indelible mark on harness racing and the people in and around the sport.
- Other remembrances of Sam McKee (Thursday, March 09, 2017)
Here is just a small sampling of social media posts, reaction and remembrances in honor of Sam McKee, who passed away Wednesday at age 54 from complications of a stroke he suffered last month.