Frank M. ‘Sam’ Samay Jr.

1920 – 2010

LEWISTON — Frank M. Samay Jr., 89, of 25 Orestis Way in Lewiston passed away Wednesday, Feb. 24, at his home with his family at his side.

He was born in Amsterdam, Ohio, Oct. 29, 1920, the son of Kathrin and Frank Samay Sr. He was educated in Ohio schools and met his future wife, the former Elizabeth Hollis of Auburn, while serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

He received a special commendation for being one of a handful of Americans who were involved in the U.S. participation in WWII from “start to finish.“ His ship, the USS Landsdowne, transported the Japanese delegates to the treaty signing on the Missouri, ending WWII.

After the war, Sam and Betty were married on June 26, 1948 in Auburn. They settled in Lewiston to raise their family. He with the help of his father-in-law founded Maine Radiator Manufacturing in 1951. He was an artisan whose company’s high quality products are nationally renowned. He was employed as the company’s CEO at the time of his death.

He was a member of St. Joseph’s Church, the American Legion, Lewiston-Auburn Rotary, the board of directors for the Auburn Skeet Club and was a lifetime member of the Lewiston Lodge of Elks. Among his favorite enjoyments were hunting, fishing, special times at the family camps at Moosehead Lake and Rangeley. Mostly he loved spending time with his grandchildren, sneaking food to the family pets and vodka martinis.

He was a determined and hard-working man and a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather who will be dearly missed by family, co-workers and friends. He led a gracious, generous and humorous life. He especially appreciated the nursing staff at CMMC’s cardiac care unit and infusion center.

He leaves his wife of 61 years, Elizabeth Samay of Lewiston; two daughters, Linda Samay Colwell and husband, Barry, of San Diego, Calif., and Dee Dee Samay Miller and husband, Donald, of Harpswell; his son, Frank M. Samay III and wife, Pam, of Turner; a son-in-law, Marcel Houle of Lewiston; five grandchildren, Alexa, Anthony, Alec, Renae and Nash; and a sister, Rose Marie Glass of Canton, Ohio.

He was predeceased by a daughter, Mary Samay Houle, in 2007.