Samuel S. Raia

Samuel S. Raia, 77, of Saddle River, NJ and Palm Beach, FL, passed away on March 19, 2026 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Born on August 25, 1948, in Garfield, NJ, Samuel grew up to be a natural leader whose impact was felt across the worlds of business, public service and community life. Samuel built a distinguished career in construction that began with his father Joseph Raia and his brothers Joseph and Lawrence producing ready mix concrete at Raia Industries. Before the sale of this company in 1987, Raia Industries was the largest producer and seller of ready mix concrete in NJ with 11 plants, a quarry and over 150 concrete mixers and other heavy equipment. Next, Samuel and his brothers founded Raia Self Storage and then Raia Properties, Corp. which today owns and manages 11 residential real estate complexes throughout the Southeast. Samuel’s commitment to public service began when he was a young man. He served on the Montville Board of Education beginning in 1982 and realized that he loved giving back to the community that helped him achieve his success in business. After moving to Saddle River, he soon became an active participant in local government, serving on the Planning Board and ultimately as the town’s Mayor from 2009-2017. His public service continued, though, and he was one of Governor Chris Christie’s most successful fundraisers. Sam went on to become Chairman of the New Jersey Republican State Committee from 2011-2017. He served on the Board of Hackensack Meridian Health from 2003 to present; most recently as the Chairman of the HUMC Foundation. These are a few of his well known contributions to his community but there were so many more that he never told people about, members of the community he helped without looking for accolades or recognition. Sam was a devoted Roman Catholic, seeking out Mass wherever he was in the world. Most often, he attended St Gabriel’s in Saddle River for over 40 years and St Edward’s in Palm Beach. He served as a lector and as an active member of the Finance Council at St. Gabriel’s. He was promoted to a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre in 2017 in St. Patricks Cathedral, surrounded by his family. He loved to travel, golf and enjoyed Bonanza and Gunsmoke reruns. Sam was known to so many as the proud and devoted head of the Raia Family, a role he cherished above all. He is survived by his beloved wife Joan, his children Kimberly Raia Nardone, Tina Raia Trainor, Samuel A. Raia and Andrew Raia and their spouses Chris, William, Benita and Erin. Sam is also survived by his brothers, Joseph and Lawrence and his sister Nina, with whom he shared a lifelong bond. Nothing brought Sam greater happiness than his role as “Grandpa.” He was a proud and loving grandfather to twelve grandchildren, Christopher, Luke, Nicole, Zoe, Tina, Gabriella, Olivia, Samantha, Gianna, Alexandra, Ella, and Andrew, each of whom held a special place in his heart. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Tina, whom he carried in his heart always. Visitation will be Wednesday, March 25, 3:00-7:00 pm at St. Gabriel’s Church, 88 E. Saddle River Road in Saddle River, NJ. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, March 26, 10:00 am, also at St. Gabriel’s Church. Interment to follow at St. Mary's cemetery Saddle Brook, NJ. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hackensack Meridian Health, John Theurer Cancer Center.