Obituary: Michael Samara, 1948-2024

Michael
David Samara passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack, at his
home, on April 26. Extraordinary staff from the South Burlington
Emergency Departments and his beloved wife, Lucy, were by his side.

Michael
was born on March 5, 1948, to Josephine and Frederick Samara of
Manchester, N.H. He grew up in a close-knit Lebanese and Syrian
American family, with his Arabic-speaking grandparents living in the
apartment downstairs. Throughout his life, he took significant pride
in his heritage. In 1970, he earned his degree at the University of
New Hampshire, and two years later, he went on to earn his master’s
degree in education in counseling and personnel, also at UNH. It was
during this time at UNH that he met his best friend and partner,
Lucy. They married in 1975 at the Community Church of Durham, UCC.

Michael
served as co-director of residential life and director of counseling
at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Indiana before moving to
Vermont in 1977 to serve as director of student life at Saint
Michael’s College. Michael was soon promoted to the role of dean of
students and vice president for student affairs and served for 35
years before retiring in 2012. During this time, he touched the lives
of a broad range of people: students, faculty, administrators and the
dining hall staff. He was beloved for his thoughtful and caring
demeanor, advocacy, equity and inclusion. He formed lasting
relationships, including with students, many of whom stayed in touch
with him for decades after graduating. Following his retirement,
Michael enrolled in the Clinical Pastoral Education Program at the
UVM Medical Center. Michael went on to serve as a per diem chaplain
at the medical center and on the professional advisory group for the
CPE Program.

Michael
returned to Saint Michael’s College in a part-time position from
2013 to 2018, serving on the campus ministry staff and in academic
support. On his second retirement from SMC, Michael wrote, “I must
end with a special thank you and acknowledgement to the Society of
Saint Edmund. The Edmundites took a chance on a young man in 1977. I
have always felt their hospitality, support, love and faithful care.
I am most grateful.”

Michael’s
greatest love was his family. He adored his two children, Julie
Samara Thompson and Andrew Samara, and their spouses, Matthew
Thompson and Emily Hubbard Samara. Michael dearly loved spending time
with his five granddaughters: Audrey and Madeleine Samara Thompson,
and Franny, Juno and Robin Samara, who experienced their “Jiddo”
as full of poems, stories, games, laughter and silly songs.

Michael
had a passion for writing, Boston sports, playing guitar and
vacationing on Wells Beach. He loved watching his children and
grandchildren in all of their interests and activities. Michael also
took significant meaning from his faith and was an active member of
the First Congregational Church UCC of Burlington for nearly 40 years
and served the church community in many roles.

Along
with Lucy, his children and their spouses, and his grandchildren,
Michael is survived by his brother, Richard Samara, of Manchester,
N.H., and many beloved in-laws, cousins and friends.

A
celebration of Michael’s life will be held on Friday, May 31, at
1:30 p.m., at the First Congregational Church UCC of Burlington, Vt.

In
lieu of flowers, donations in Michael’s honor can be made to the
Joint Urban Ministry Project or to the First Congregational Church of Burlington Pastoral Care Fund.

This article appears in May 1-7, 2024.