James R. Samartini

1935 - 2022

James "Jim" R. Samartini, 87, of Kent, Conn., passed away peacefully at his home on May 15, 2022.

He was married to Julia (Schoenberg) Rubin Samartini for 26 years.

Jim was born April 13, 1935, in Cleveland, to the late Leonard and Grace (Tully) Samartini.

He was last employed as chief financial officer for Whirlpool Corp., and previously served as CFO for Mead Corp.

Jim was a graduate of Dartmouth College (1957) and obtained his MBA at Harvard University (1961). He was a member of the Harvard Club of New York City.

While at Mead Corp., in Dayton, Ohio, he was treasurer and subsequently CFO. While at Whirlpool, his positions included CFO, chairman for Whirlpool Financial Corp., and chairman for the Whirlpool Foundation. Jim served on many corporate boards over the years, including the Whirlpool Corp., Pinnacle Financial Services and the Mead Foundation.

In earlier years, he was very active in the Dayton Chapter of Financial Executives International, and was president and board member for the Dayton Opera Association. In Michigan, he served on the board for the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra.

Jim always found a way to contribute to the communities in which he lived. He was the former chairman of the board and treasurer at Marvelwood School in Kent, Conn. He was the treasurer of Kent Memorial Library, as well as serving on the Kent Zoning Board of Appeals, Kent Lions Club and the Kent Center School Scholarship Fund. Jim also was a Eucharistic minister and financial council member of Sacred Heart Church in Kent, Conn.

James is survived by his wife, Julia; sons, David L. Samartini, James F. Samartini and Patrick R. Samartini (Jennifer), all of Dayton; stepson, Alexander S. Rubin (Karolann) of New York; stepdaughter, Laura L. Rubin of Los Angeles; grandchildren, Michael Samartini and Kristen Kreuv; and great-grandson, Sawyer Kreuv.

He is survived by his stepgrandson, James A. Rubin; and stepgranddaughters, Logan J. Rubin and Isabella J. Rubin.

A Mass of Christian burial was held on Wednesday, May 25 at Sacred Heart Church in Kent, Conn. Burial will be private at Calvary Cemetery in Dayton.

Lillis Funeral Home, 58 Bridge St., New Milford, Conn., has been entrusted to care for James and his family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Kent Community Fund, P.O. Box 262, Kent, CT 06757.