Stephen Paul Sample, age 24, of Reading, died peacefully on May 10, surrounded by his family, after a brief illness.

Steve was born in Boston and spent the first 5 years of his life in Brookline, MA. He moved to Reading when he was five years old, attended Reading Public Schools and graduated from Reading Memorial High School in 2007. He, also, went on to attend UMass Lowell and Middlesex Community College.

Steve was happiest when he was playing baseball. He loved pitching and playing shortstop. In the summer of 2002 he was elected to play for the Eastern Mass All Stars, a team that played in the National Tournament of Champions in Cooperstown at Field of Dreams Park. That team made it to the "sweet sixteen" in the 64 team tournament. He led the team in home runs, RBI, and recorded the most wins and a save as a pitcher. He also played two seasons for the Reading High School varsity baseball team and was a starter on the team that won the Middlesex League Championship in 2007.

Recently, he had been working at Market Basket in Woburn for four years.

He will be deeply missed by his parents, Marianne and David Sample, of Reading, and brother, Eric Sample of Lynnfield, as well as many other family and friends. A memorial service for Stephen will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 239 Woburn St. in Reading on Wed, May 21 at 11:00. Following the ceremony there will be a gathering for friends and family in the Church hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Friends of Reading High School Baseball, P.O. Box 133; Reading, MA 01867