Stephen Samuels

Stephen Samuels, age 88, of Wellesley, Massachusetts, and Paradise Valley, Arizona, passed away on November 7, in Arizona.

Steve was the son of the late Ben and Katherine (Shulman) Samuels of St. Louis, Missouri. He was born in 1936 in St. Louis, and graduated in 1954 from Western Military Academy in Alton, IL, where he was both Cadet Major and class valedictorian. He graduated in 1958 from Washington University with an Engineering degree. After college, he served in the US Army as a Captain in the Transportation Corps. He moved to Boston to attend Harvard Law School and earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1962.

Steve married Eileen (Kossow) Samuels in Washington, DC, in 1960. They met on a blind date when Eileen was at Wellesley College and Steve had just begun his studies at Harvard Law School. They married 10 months later. Steve always said that the best thing that ever happened to him was Eileen’s accepting his marriage proposal in 1960. Steve and Eileen were married for 64 years, and Eileen was the focus and the joy of his life.

Steve practiced trademark law on behalf of major corporations for 58 years. He retired from his firm, Samuels & Hiebert LLC, in 2020 at the age of 84. To his surprise and that of his family, he loved his retirement years, devoting his time to his family and many varied interests.

Steve was active in Jewish affairs. He served as the head usher for 18 years and then became the President of Congregation Mishkan Tefila in Chestnut Hill. He was also Chairman of Camp Ramah in New England and served on the Chancellor’s Council of the Jewish Theological Seminary. In later years, he became a devoted member of Temple Emanuel in Newton and served on its Board of Trustees.

Steve is survived by his wife, Eileen Samuels, and his brother, Robert Samuels (wife Ann Samuels) of St. Louis. Steve’s sister, Helen (Samuels) Zeve of Houston predeceased him. Steve is also survived by his son, Dr. Michael Samuels (wife Dr. Judith Samuels) of Paradise Valley, AZ, and their children, Joshua Samuels (wife Mariella Samuels) and Sarah Samuels. Steve is also survived by his daughter, Karen Lawee (husband Ian Lawee) of Lexington, MA, and their children, Ben Lawee and Katie Lawee.

The funeral will take place on Tuesday, November 12th at 12 noon at Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward Street, Newton. Interment will follow at Mishkan Tefila Memorial Park, West Roxbury. Shiva will be announced at the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Temple Emanuel or American Friends of Magen David Adom.