Sam Molnar

On July 27, 2024, the biggest and brightest light illuminated for Samual Joseph Molnar. If you knew Sam, you knew you were loved with his whole heart. He went over and above to do anything for anyone. All he wanted was to bring peace, joy and love to all, and most importantly make them laugh. His infectious smile and welcoming personality allowed him to make a friend with literally anyone he encountered. These are the memories we will keep forever in our hearts.

Through the years, reading books and taking tests put Sam in a square box where he was a round peg. He was a visual learner, insightful beyond his years and incredibly smart. What he could process mentally was such a gift. We are grateful to the teachers who fought for Sam and made such an impact on him. Through all of this, he pushed through and graduated from Maumee High School in 2013.

One of Sam’s biggest passions in life was playing hockey. He started at the age of 5 with skating lessons, moving on to house league teams and eventually living out one of his biggest dreams, to play travel hockey. That experience led to many travel adventures, including playing at the U.S. Hockey Nationals, while providing valuable lessons about working as a team and having a strong work ethic.

His last hockey team was with Maumee High School, which also brought him so much joy. One of his biggest accomplishments was having the winning goal against St. Francis during the first round of the state tournament in 2013.

Each of the coaches, players and hockey families through the years touched Sam’s heart in the most profound way. There is a special bond with hockey families and Sam so enjoyed running into them over the years.

As Sam navigated these past years trying to figure out life he gained tremendous experience working for his Grandpa Molnar at his catering business and at Sam’s home away from home, Tam-O-Shanter. Most recently, Sam shifted gears and was proud to work for Rosenboom Custom Crafted Cylinders in Bowling Green, Ohio. The job was good for him, not only because it helped him to gain even more insight as to what he wanted to do moving forward, but because of his co-workers and helping them all enjoy what they do.

Because of his keen, intuitive ways a.k.a “Sammy Mo’s ways,” he knew instantly when something was wrong with you. Sam would stop what he was doing, just start talking to you, asking you questions and in no time you were pouring your heart out to him and feeling better instantly. He had a heart of gold.

While Sam had an amazing circle of friends, he was surrounded by such a loving family that treasured him each and every day: mom Jill Molnar (Bud Butler); dad Scott Molnar and stepmom Amy; grandparents Harold “Puck” Rowe and Butch and Susan Molnar; brothers Nate Molnar (Hannah Trabbic), Griffin Pollock (Kailyn); Matt (Colleen) Butler; Jacob Butler (Kendallyn Jacobs); Adam Butler (Janie Hudson); Aunts and Uncles - Rich Rowe, Carol Rowe Randy and Diane Rowe, Brian and Karen Rowe, Steff and John Panning, Shelli (Joe) Spears; cousins Courtney (Craig) Brisson, Michael (Abby) Rowe, Kelly (Ryan) Kennebeck, Katherine Rowe, Isabelle Rowe, Jenna Panning, Eric Panning, Drew Panning, Zach Spears, and Izzy Spears. Lastly, Sam was an amazing uncle to Daxton and Barrett Pollock and Liam and Ripp Butler.

Sam is preceded in death by his grandmother, Janet Rowe and Cousin, Kyle Rowe.

Visitation will be Friday, August 2, from noon to 6 p.m. at Maison-Dardenne-Walker Funeral home, 501 Conant Street, Maumee, OH 43537. There will be a service at 6 p.m. followed by a celebration of life in The Basement at The Distillery (4311 Heatherdowns Blvd, Toledo, OH). In honor of Sam, there will be plenty of Jameson and Modelo on hand.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests any gifts in memory of Sam be directed to the Sammy “Mo” Molnar Memorial Fund, Metroparks Toledo Foundation, 5100 W. Central Ave, Ste. A, Toledo, OH 43615 or http://www.metroparkstoledofoundation.org/ways-to-give.