Samuel Anthony Boulmetis Sr.

Samuel Anthony Boulmetis, Sr., 94, peacefully passed away at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank on May 30, 2021.  He was born and raised in Baltimore, MD to the late Anthony and Frances Boulmetis.  He married the love of his life, “BeBe”, in 1952 and ultimately settled in Cherry Hill, NJ where they raised their family a stone’s throw away from Garden State Park Racetrack. 

Over the course of his nearly 20-year career as a thoroughbred jockey, Sam won 2,783 races; and was inducted into the Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1973, and the State of Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame in 1974.  He then became a racing official and was appointed the State Steward of New Jersey until his retirement in 2004.

Above and beyond all else, he was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.  In his spare time, Sam was an avid fisherman.  Over the last few years, his memory may have faded but his smile never did.  Without a doubt, his was a life well-lived.

Surviving is his wife of 69 years, Lillian “BeBe” Boulmetis and his children: Susan, Janie, Sammy, Jr., Jimmy, and Kim; three granddaughters: Chelsea, Devin and Kylie; and four great-grandchildren.  In addition, he is also survived by a sister, Margie Black, and nephews Nick and Tony Black.

A gathering to celebrate “Big Sam”, will take place at the John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Avenue Red Bank, NJ 07701 on Friday June 4, 2021 from 11:00 AM-2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent in Sam’s memory to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) at PDJF.org 

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