1944 - 2026
Born on February 14, 1944, in Boston, he was the beloved son of the late James G. and Stasia W. (Saxon) Samalis. James graduated from Matignon High School in Arlington and continued his education at Wentworth Institute of Technology, where he developed the skills that would support a long and successful career.
Jim spent 30 years working at Polaroid, where he was known for his dedication, strong work ethic, and commitment to excellence.
In 1967, he married the love of his life, Claudia M. (Silva) Samalis, and together they built a life filled with love, laughter, and support. They raised two children, Stephen W. Samalis of Auburn and Laura C. Samalis of Milford.
Jim was a proud grandfather to Kaitlyn Poplaski, Nikolas Poplaski, W. Travis Poplaski Jr., and Giana Samalis, and he was overjoyed to welcome his great-granddaughter, Violet Ducharme. He treasured the time he spent with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild, sharing stories and creating lasting memories. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A lifelong sports enthusiast, Jim loved watching sports and collecting and selling sports memorabilia. He also enjoyed playing in the Hoboken Club Pitch League in Milford, where his friends and fellow league members appreciated both his competitive spirit and good-natured camaraderie.
Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Buma-Sargeant Funeral Home, 42 Congress Street, Milford, followed by a funeral service at 12:00 noon at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF), P.O. Box 5042, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5042, or to Rhett’s Syndrome Angels, 217 South Street, Waltham, MA 02453.
