It is with heavy hearts that we share that Samuel L. Drayo, Jr. peacefully passed away on Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at age 85.
Sam was a proud lifelong resident of the Village of Fredonia. He was born on December 27, 1940 in Dunkirk. He graduated from the Fredonia Normal School (campus school at Old Main-kindergarten thru 8th grade) and Fredonia High School in 1958. In 1962, he graduated from Syracuse University, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in political science. He completed courses at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. He was a 1965 graduate of Syracuse University College of Law, earning a Juris Doctor degree. Sam served two years in the U.S. Army from 1966-1968, attaining the rank of Captain. He was awarded the U.S. Army Certificate of Achievement and National Defense Service Medal. He received an honorable discharge in 1968.
In 1968, Sam joined his Dad (Samuel L. Drayo, Sr.) and twin brother, David C. Drayo, in his family's Fredonia law practice. Sam's son, John D. Drayo, joined him in 2008, and they practiced together for many years. Sam served as Village Attorney for the Village of Fredonia for 47 years from 1969-2016 and Village Attorney for the Village of Brocton from 2005-2015.
In 1984, Sam helped organize the Northern Chautauqua County Youth Hockey Association (Dunkirk-Fredonia Steelers) and was its first President serving in that role for eight years. Sam was kind and had a generous nature and always found time to help others with legal and personal matters alike. He loved to laugh and had a great sense of humor. In his later years, Sam enjoyed researching, writing, and speaking about Fredonia historical and civic topics, frequently publishing pieces in the Observer. He also enjoyed traveling and made many trips to Italy with his life partner, Margaret C. Roberts.
He was a member of the Dunkirk-Fredonia Rotary Club, the Knights of Columbus, American Legion Post 59, and St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church in Fredonia.
Sam is survived by his loving partner, Margaret C. Roberts of Hamburg (formerly Margaret C. Partridge); his two sons, Michael (Kristie) Drayo of Phoenixville, PA and John of Fredonia; three beloved grandchildren, Joshua Grant, Henry Drayo and Sadie Kathleen Drayo; and former spouse, Susan R. (Meister) Star. He was predeceased by his twin brother, David C. Drayo, who passed in 1985; and his parents, Samuel L. Drayo, Sr. and Sadie (Mooradian) Drayo.
Family and friends are invited to call on Wednesday, November 18 from 3:00-7:00 PM at the Larson-Timko Funeral Home, 20 Central Avenue in Fredonia. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Thursday, November 19 at 10:00 AM at Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, 1032 Central Avenue in in Dunkirk. Sam will be laid to rest at Forest Hill Cemetery in Fredonia with full military honors.
Donations in Sam's honor may be made to the Northern Chautauqua County Youth Hockey Association, PO Box 442 Fredonia, NY 14063.
Online condolences may be made at www.larsontimkofuneralhome.com.
