Samuel "Sam" David Armstrong, age 59, of Lincoln University, Pennsylvania passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on Thursday, October 5, 2017 at Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester. He was born in Chelsea, Pennsylvania, on February 11, 1958. Sam was the son of the late Joseph and Helen Reed Armstrong.

He was the beloved husband of Jacqueline "Jacey" Maurer Armstrong; father of Jackson Armstrong and Hannah Armstrong; sister of Mary Armstrong (Ron Rowles), Allen Armstrong (Mary), Rueben Armstrong (Marley), Joe Armstrong (Robin) and the late Barbara Stromberg; brother-in-law of Mary Jane Gerbron, Martha Laffey (Robert), Ann Maurer O’Neill and the late Barbara Maurer. Sam will be greatly missed by his many beloved nieces and nephews. 

Sam worked at Centreville and Centreville Layton schools for over fifteen years. He served that community as a faculty member, department chair, and division head. In 2014, he was named Delaware Science Teacher of the Year. Barton Reese, Head of School at CLS wrote, “Sam’s wit, his charm, his intellect, and his ability to connect with people (literally anybody) melded perfectly to produce not only an amazing teacher, but an amazing human.”  Sam taught his students to be stewards of the land and to conserve the world’s resources by opening their eyes to the natural world. Colleagues, students, and parents were comforted by Sam’s kindness and zest for life.

Prior to teaching, Sam was a carpenter and contractor. He enjoyed hiking and beekeeping; Sam also volunteered for the Oxford Democratic Committee. Sam was most proud of graduating Summa Cum Laude from West Chester University while working and helping to raise his first child.

No one who met Sam could deny his irresistible love of the game—any game. While Sam was an experienced football and hockey coach, he loved all sports. More than anything, however, Sam loved his family. His children were his inspiration, and his wife was his light. A dreamer with a gentle soul, Sam will be missed.

A celebration of life will be at 1:00PM on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at the CENTREVILLE LAYTON SCHOOL, 6201 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be appreciated to: Scholarship Fund of Centreville Layton School, 6201 Kennett Pike, Wilm., DE 19807 www.centrevillelayton.org -or- Neighborhood Hospice, 795 E. Marshall Street, West Chester, PA  19382  www.chestercountyhospital.org

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