Edward Roberts Samuels, 75, of Southbury and Delray Beach, Fla., and formerly from New Fairfield and Newtown, died peacefully January 15 surrounded by family members, after living a life filled with caring and compassion for others. He was born in Stamford, and was the son of the late Nathan Roberts Samuels and Sylvia Weitzer Samuels Firestone.

He attended schools in West Hartford, and graduated from Hall High School. After serving five years in the Air Force he attended Bryant University in Rhode Island, where he earned his bachelor’s degree.

Mr Samuels will be remembered for his magnetic personality and zest for life. A skilled leader, he took an active role in both the professional and personal development of others. He approached every day with remarkable energy, unshakeable optimism, and endless compassion. His motto was to live life to the fullest because “Life is not a dress rehearsal.”

Mr Samuels began his professional career as a buyer at United Technologies. His outstanding performance paved the way for SmithKline Beckman in Philadelphia to recruit him. He began his career as a sales manager. His achievements were highly recognized, and he later was offered a position with Branson Ultrasonics, a division of SmithKline, and later a division of Emerson Electric located in Danbury. At Branson his accomplishments enabled him to move through the management ranks to retire after 39 years as senior vice president worldwide/general manager of North America.

Following his retirement in 2005, he and his wife moved to Mizner Country Club in Delray Beach, where he enjoyed playing golf, deep sea fishing, and the beach. Most recently he enjoyed teaching business classes at Lynn University in Florida. He was also an avid UConn Huskies and New England Patriots sports fan.

Throughout his life, Mr Samuels always found time to volunteer. He started as a Big Brother in college, and over the years served as president of Bloomfield Jaycees, and as a board member and president of Danbury B’nai Israel Synagogue. He also served on the boards of Danbury YMCA and Danbury Junior Achievement. Being among one of the longest surviving kidney transplant recipients, he served as president of the National Kidney Foundation of Connecticut, and for 20 years was instrumental in raising funds for the Volunteer Danbury Dialysis Fund, Inc.

In addition to his beloved wife Jeanne Aiudi Samuels, his precious daughter Karen Roberts Samuels, loving son Jonathan Roberts Samuels and daughter-in-law, Jennifer Samuels, two grandchildren, Alexis and Zachary Samuels, and his sisters Joan Kaiser, Elaine Bowman, and Maxine Goldberg survive him. Mr Samuels loved his family and will be missed by his many cousins, nieces, grandnieces and nephews, and other family members. His beloved sister and brother, Jane Gitlin and Harold Samuels, preceded Mr Samuels in death.

His family thanks the caring staff at Brigham & Women’s Hospital for the expert care received over many years, and the Danbury Regional Hospice & Home Care Center for their professionalism and compassionate care during his final journey.  

Calling hours will be at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, Sunday, January 24, from 1 to 3 pm, with a service immediately following.  Interment will be privately held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in memory of Edward Roberts Samuels to support the Kidney Research Fund at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 116 Huntington Avenue, Third Floor, Boston MA 02116 or at www.bwhgiving.org.

To leave an online condolence visit www.honanfh.com.