Sam L. Consylman, 74, of Lancaster, went to be with the Lord on Friday, February 26, 2016 at LGH surrounded by his family. He was the husband of Mary (Andreadis) Consylman for fifty-three years. They were married on January 9, 1963.

Sam was a graduate of J. P. McCaskey High School in 1958. He was a USMC Veteran having served during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Sam was an Auto Body Technician, specializing in Corvettes. He ended his career with Old Mill Auto Sales & Service, Lancaster, after retiring in 1997.

Born November 17, 1941 in Lancaster, he was the son of the late Luther J. and Pearl (Donmoyer) Consylman. Sam volunteered at the Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center, where he taught fishing and outdoor lessons. He also did water testing for the Lancaster County Water Conservation Center.

Sam was an avid organic gardener. He loved hunting and fishing. He will be deeply missed by everyone who loved and knew him.

Sam was a passionate environmentalist who touched the lives of countless Shelter residents throughout the years. Sam was recognized with JDCAP’s Special Event of the Year Award in 2013. Below is the nomination narrative, which by no means truly captures Sam’s passion and dedication to our residents.

Smart Angler Fishing Trip

Sam Consylman has been volunteering his services at the Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center for five years where he has conducted different programs on site for our shelter residents. The program he runs is called the Smart Angler program.  Sam works under the umbrella of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.  Sam comes to the center twice a month to speak with and interact with our shelter residents and talks with them about topics ranging from fishing to environmental concerns.  Sam is the kind of volunteer and person that is able to draw out the best in others and we are so very thankful to have him be a part of our team here at our center.

In 2008, Sam was able to coordinate and plan a special fishing trip for our shelter residents.  Sam was able to secure permission from Mr. Willis Ratslaff a retired biology professor from Millersville University to fish at his property.  The property is absolutely beautiful and has two man made ponds that he has stocked with large and small mouth Bass, Sunfish, along with some other kind of rare fish.  Sam also got a letter from the PA Fish and Boat Commission stating that all the kids could fish at the property without needing a license to do so.

The two classes leading up to the day of the fishing trip Sam talked about the kinds of fish they would be fishing for and how to properly set up their fishing poles and how to cast and reel them in without tangling them.  We had arranged to meet Sam early to follow him to the property the day of the trip.  Once there and introductions were given and Mr. Ratslaff gave some brief instructions about the property and his desire to see each fish caught to determine if it was a keeper or not. 

The kids who were able to go on this trip had a fantastic time and most learned something new and were able to put into practice what Mr. Sam had been teaching them during his programs.  For some this was their first fishing experience and almost every one of them caught something.  It was great to see the kid’s faces as they attempted to place their bait (live worms) on the hook, untangle their lines or catch their first ever fish.

After the fishing segment was over, Mr. Ratslaff gave a demonstration on how to properly fillet a fish.  He filleted about 6 of the Sunfish that were caught and gave them to the residents.  The fish were later cooked and eaten by the residents that were along on the trip.   

The day was a great success and everyone had a great time.  All the residents conducted themselves positively and in such a way that we were even given an open invitation to return and do it again sometime.