Obituary of Simon Elias Samaha

Simon Elias Samaha (July 20, 1948 -February 2O,2O23 ) Beloved volunteer of the Samaritan Center, Mathematics professor at Lemoyne College and Empire State College, enthusiastic amateur Orthodox iconographer and Lector of the Cathedral of the lmmaculate Conception has entered into eternal repose. Born to Julie Abboud and Sabeh Samaha in Beirut, Lebanon in 1948 he joined older brother Fawzi and sister Samayyah and grew up in their hometown of Choueir. Simon emigrated to the U.S. in 1973 to attend graduate school at Northeastern University in Boston, MA from which he received his MS in Mathematics in L975. His subsequent studies were interrupted by the Lebanese civil war (1975-1990) but he succeeded in completing his PhD in mathematics from the Stevens lnstitute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ in May LgB7. Subsequently, Lemoyne College enticed him to take a position in the Computer Science department. ln 1991 he took his teaching skills to Empire State College's computer science and mathematics program but in 1996 a powerful spiritual awakening spurred him to leave academia to pursue Orthodox spirituality. He enrolled at Holy Trinity Seminary, Jordanville, NY to audit the Slavonic Languages program of study while living as a monastic postulant. He dedicated his time to various Orthodox endeavors including volunteer work at st Andrews orthodox camp Jewel, Ny. Upon returning to Syracuse in the late 1990s Simon discovered his "family'' at The Samaritan center led by Mary Beth Frey, serving as a volunteer and a frequent diner! His fluency in Arabic and Slavonic languages facilitated his participation in worship services at St Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church, St Mary's Russian Orthodox Church and Ss.Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, although due to the location of his residence, he served as a dedicated lector at The Cathedral of the lmmaculate Conception for as long as his voice and legs would allow him to be effective. He much appreciated the Grace and many kindnesses of his neighbors at the Cathedral especially Msgr. Neal Quartier. He is eternally grateful for the friendship and support of Dr. David Jakel and Dr. Gregory Szymaniak. MEMORY ETERNAL. Funeral services will be held on Friday February 24, 2023 at 9:00 am in the Ss. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church, 401 Hamilton Street, Syracuse, New York 13204. Interment will be in the Ss. Peter & Paul Orthodox Cemetery, Syracuse, New York.