Sammy Minor Warren, of 6200 Deer Run Lane, Trumansburg, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, September 15, 2009, at the age of 57.

Born in Ithaca, New York on December 6, 1951, Sam was the son of Charles and Janet (Updike) Warren of Trumansburg.

Sam was a dreamer who continually transformed his creative ideas into results. A self-educated genius and sustainability pioneer, Sam proudly lived off the grid and made his own power from the sun, wind and water.  A farmer, welder, mechanic, carpenter, inventor, artist, and sculptor, Sam built a water wheel used in the operation of On Warren Pond Farm. Sam was a spiritual man with a unique connection to the animals that he cared for over the years, especially the deer, elk, bison and his faithful dogs. The pond he helped his father dig in 1968 is where he made his home and loved to fish. Sam restored antique tractors and cars, rebuilding both bodies and engines to perfection. Sam had owned a Cub Cadet small engine dealership and drove tractor trailer for Daly Express, hauling Haz-Mat materials and oversized loads.  He cooked great meals without recipes and played the drums without reading music. Sam never asked for assistance but rushed to the aid of family and friends countless times. Sam’s presence will be sorely missed by those who knew and loved him.

Sam is survived by the love of his life, Jill Swenson of Trumansburg; parents, Charles and Janet Warren of Trumansburg; children, Tricia (Kip) of Trumansburg and Sammy , Jr. of Elmira Heights; sister, Judy (Wayne) Lauper of Trumansburg; nephew and Godson Jamie of Trumansburg ; niece, Marti-Jo (Randy) of Ithaca ; great-nieces, Jadyn and Cailyn; and Jill’s family, Robert L. and Arlene Swenson, Barbara D. and Eric Nelson, Emma Kay, and Benjamin Robert.

A public Memorial Service will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, September 27, 2009 at the Cayutaville Methodist Church. All are invited to attend this church service.

Following the church service, the family respectfully requests privacy, later that day, as they share in an intimate family service of healing. Thank you for your understanding.

UPDATE AS OF SEPTEMBER 25, 2009: The family asks those who wish to make a contribution in Sam’s memory to kindly consider The Sam Warren Sustainability Scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior from Charles O. Dickerson High School who has been accepted into an accredited 2 year or 4 year program at any college, university, technical school or apprenticeship program. Please make a check payable to Sam Warren Scholarship Fund and mail to Trumansburg Central School, Attn: Treasurer, 100 Whig St., Trumansburg, NY 14886.

Directions to the Cayutaville Methodist Church:

1) Take Rt. 79 from Ithaca to Mecklenburg. In Mecklenburg, take Rt. 6 (also called McIntyre Road) for approximately 5 miles. The church practically sits on the road and is on the right-hand side of the road. There is a large parking area adjacent to the church.

2) For a general map please go to the church's web-site at:  www.cayutaville.com  Click on the link for driving directions.