Sam Bozick passed away Sunday, January 10, 2010, due to natural causes. 

Just mention his name and you get an array of optimistic responses: “What a nice guy!”, “He is always smiling,” “Sam never meets a stranger!” Ask anyone who knew him, and they’ll quickly tell you that spending time with Sam was always a pleasant experience.

In 1957, Sam Bozick moved to Southern Pines at the urging of his good friend W. Ozell (Pappy) Moss.  Pappy told Sam that there was a great need for a saddlery shop in the area. Sam’s family was originally from Southampton, N.Y.  His father, Max Bozick, immigrated from Poland in the 1920s. Max opened Southampton Saddlery, and it was there that Sam and his brother, Frank, learned the craft of  harness and saddle making. The business was very successful, and grew into several businesses in New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Massachusetts. Max Bozick decided 
to relocate the family and the family business to the south. They 
moved to Aiken, S.C. Sam met and worked with many famous trainers 
while living in Aiken. During this time he met and became friends with 
Pappy Moss.

Sam opened Bozick and Co. Saddlery in Southern Pines. It was 
originally located in what is now the ABC store on Broad Street. 
Sometime soon after opening Bozick and Co.,  Sam purchased a building 
near the post office. Ask anyone who is associated with horse country 
if they know Sam Bozick, and the resounding response is always an 
enthusiastic “Yes!”

Sam has become somewhat of a legend in Moore County. He was always 
helping people, many times repairing tack for folks and taking no 
money if he knew the customer really couldn’t afford it. Sam always 
had kind words for every person he encountered. He had an amazing 
smile that he shared every day. His mission was to make every person 
feel like his number one customer or friend. Sam’s constant optimism 
and great sense of humor will always be first thing that comes to mind 
when remembering Sam. In recent years, he spent many mornings at the 
May Street Market, visiting with the locals and the restaurant staff. 
He loved the ladies; there was nothing he enjoyed more than to sit at 
a table with Nancy and Renee or Grace and all of her girlfriends. He 
thoroughly enjoyed seeing all of his friends there and talking about 
the latest news around horse country. His friends and family loved him 
dearly. He was one of a kind and will be missed so much.
Sam, Pop, Dad or Mr. Bozick — however he was known — we all were lucky 
to know him.

The funeral will be held at the Adath Yeshurum Synagogue in Aiken, 
S.C. Sam will be laid to rest beside his parents in Aiken at 1:00 p.m. 
Wednesday, January 13, 2010.  There will be a memorial service in Southern Pines at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made the Walthour 
Moss Foundation at P.O. Box 978, Southern Pines, NC 28388.