Sam appears to be of Sicilian descent as indicated by his surname, which references a city in Western Sicily. He likely joined the Salierei gang in the 1920's, Sam's personality is one of focus and discipline; he carries out his orders without hesitation, never betrays his friends, and demonstrates absolute loyalty to the Don (Salierei) and the code of omerta. However, he is also devoid of any real ambition and lacks initiative, a man who seems destined to always linger in someone else's shadow.