Albert J. "Chic" Samara

Albert J. “Chic” Samara, age 90, of Worcester, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home on Saturday, September 2, 2017 with his loving family by his side. Chic was born in the Grafton Hill section and lived his whole life in Worcester.  He was the son of Alice (Zeena) and Abraham Samara of Homs and Damascus, Syria respectively.  Chic was a proud member of the United States Army during World War II. Soon after he returned home from his service in the military he began an apprenticeship alongside his father before graduating from the Massachusetts School of Barbering, and himself becoming a licensed barber.  He opened his own shop in 1951 on Lake Avenue, called Chic’s Barber Shop.  Chic operated the barber shop for over 60 years before semi-retirement.  He also worked for Norton Company as a maintenance supervisor for over 10 years. Chic was a member of the former St. Margaret Mary’s Church and a member of St. Anne’s Church in Shrewsbury. He had a passion for football, was an ace at backgammon, and loved to play poker. But his greatest joy and source of pride was his family. Chic is survived by his wife of 67 years, Rita M. (Noah) Samara; his four children, Jody Wellington of Evesham, NJ, David Samara and his wife Mary of Shrewsbury, Stephen Samara of San Diego, CA, and Susan Kozlowski of Worcester; seven grandchildren, Nathan Samara and his wife Gina of Barkhamsted, CT, Melanie Donahue and her husband Nick of Oceanside, CA, Elizabeth Wellington of Denver, CO, Dana Robinson and her husband Michael of Mount Laurel, NJ, Michael Samara of Carlsbad, CA, James and Matthew Kozlowski both of Worcester; five great grandchildren, Grace, Jackson, Oliver, Luke & Baby Girl due in March of 2018; several nieces and nephews. Chic is predeceased by two brothers, Joseph and Charles Samara and two sisters, Julia Ballan and Josephine Samara. The family would like to thank the dedicated nurses and home health care aides of VNA Care and VNA Network & Hospice. A period of calling hours will be held on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 from 9:30-11:00 am at St. Anne’s Church, 130 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury with his funeral mass to begin at 11:00 am.  Burial with military funeral honors will immediately follow in Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester. MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements.  Memorial contributions in memory of Chic may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 26 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY. 10004.  To share your thoughts and memories of Chic, please visit his personal guestbook at www.mercadantefuneral.com