Thomas Edward Samuels of Cutchogue died at his home on July 19, surrounded by loved ones. He was 87.
Dr. Samuels was born on July 21, 1928, in Brooklyn, to Alexander and Henrietta Samuels. He attended Brooklyn Tech, Fordham, and Columbia University, graduating with a degree in dentistry. He was also an avid athlete, swimming competitively.
On December 27, 1952, he married Anita Marie Keim, and shortly after began service as a dental officer in the U.S. Air Force, stationed on Okinawa during the Korean War. Returning to the states, he set up a dental practice in Forest Hills, Queens, and lived in the Gardens.
In 1955, son Peter Alexander, who predeceased him, was born; in 1957, son Thomas Christian, and, in 1959, daughter, Nancy Ann were born.
An avid sports fan, Dr. Samuels passionately loved the New York Giants, whose season tickets he held for more than 40 years. He closely followed the New York Rangers, the Brooklyn Dodgers, then New York Yankees, but would watch any ball game or sports event with insight and relish.
In 1962, the family purchased a summer house on Fisherman’s Beach, Nassau Point, Cutchogue, and would spend summers there on the beach and the water. Dr. Samuels became an expert fisherman both inshore and off, catching swordfish, marlin, tuna, sharks, and whatever could be hooked, and campaigned his boat ‘White Wake’ in numerous tournaments from Shinnecock to Cuttyhunk, Massachusetts. Later, he took up sailing and local racing, achieving success around Robins Island, in the King of the Bays, and numerous Peconic Bay Sailing Association events aboard Skilligalee.
In 1972, while having his boat slip reconstructed by local marine contractor James H. Rambo, Dr. Samuels decided to make a major life change, buying the business, giving up dentistry, and moved the family east full time. Together with his partner, Chuck Guilloz, he set up shop in Southampton, and, known as “Doc Samuels,” soon became a major player on the East End waterfront, building docks, revetments and piling foundations along the ocean and bays. His expertise in regulatory approvals, and plain-spoken approach to problem solving led to political involvement, culminating in the chairmanship of the Southold Town Republican Committee in the early 1990s.
Mr. Samuels is survived by his wife of 64 years, Anita; son Tom and wife Nancy Steelman; daughter Nancy Kelley; son-in-law Sergio Codina; and grandchildren, Kate and Erik Samuels, and Lindsey and Erin Kelley.
Visiting hours were held at Coster-Heppner Funeral Home in Cutchogue on July 23, followed by a memorial service led by Richard King, pastor at Cutchogue Presbyterian Church. Burial followed at Cutchogue Cemetery.
on Jul 21, 2016