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Roger Samuels Obituary
01/05/1961 - Jan. 17, 2022
Resident of San Jose
Roger Howard Samuels, age 61, passed away on January 17th, 2022 in his home in San Jose, California after a 2 1/2 year battle with cancer.
Roger was born on January 5, 1961 in San Jose, California to Harvey and Mary Samuels. The 6th of 8 children, Roger excelled in athletics playing both Basketball and Baseball at Branham High School where he met the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Janice. After high school, Roger continued to play baseball at San Jose City college and Santa Clara University before playing professional baseball in the San Francisco Giants, Pittsburg Pirates, and Houston Astros organizations. On July 20th, 1988, his dream of playing Major League Baseball came true when he made his debut with his hometown San Francisco Giants and pitched two scoreless innings. Following his playing career, he stayed heavily involved in the game, running baseball camps, promoting local talent, advocating for youth in underserved communities through coaching and the Junior Giants foundations, and coaching the teams of his two sons.
In recent years, Roger especially enjoyed spending time with his family, doting on his grandchildren, attending local baseball games, trips to the beach, and family trips to Disneyland. A lifetime San Francisco 49ers fan, Roger enjoyed his final day listening to the 49ers defeat the rival Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs.
Roger is survived by his wife of 39 years, Janice, his two children, Zach (Lauren) and Greg, and his two grandchildren, Amelia and Olivia. Roger was also a beloved uncle and brother to Russ, Marsha, Karen, Alan, Gary and Geoff. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Mary, and his brother Jim.
Family and friends will be invited to attend a Celebration of Life at a date TBD. In Lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Giants Community Fund. www.mlb.com/giants/community/fund
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6 Entries
Jim Ombrello
August 20, 2025
I played on an undefeated freshman league champion high school football team, 6-0, with Roger and a league champion, 19-2, JV basketball team with him at Branham High School in 1975-76. Our teams were packed with very good players. Roger was already an exceptional, gifted athlete as a freshman. I'm greatly saddened to hear of his passing, not only for his wife and children, but all of the young people he loved and inspired and coached. Jim Ombrello
Mac McFall
August 22, 2024
Just came across this by chance. I´m a few years older than Roger but I recall shooting baskets with him at the Guadeloupe School playground courts. I want to say it was his brother Alan that he would tag along with for pickup games that were always happening. I picture him as a cute ten or eleven year old who used to shoot bank shots with a wicked spin on them. In hindsight, Roger was developing his curveball! Rest in peace. It sounds like you made your mark!
Tarun Patel
January 21, 2022
My friend Roger such a humble man and a great guy! Loved talking baseballl with him... he never talked about himself... Coached against him in All Stars and was the face of Union Little League!
Kevin Sullivan
January 20, 2022
Thank you for all of your countless hours of coaching and volunteer work with youth baseball in the South Bay.
I will miss our conversations at the Little League, high school, college, and travel ball diamonds.
Lee and Sandi Oppenheimer
January 20, 2022
Zack, our sincerest condolences on the loss of your dad. We know you were very close to him and will be greatly missed. We also remember how he was willing to spend time playing catch with our grandson Brendon when he came to visit you. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Lee and Sandi
Debbie Caminiti
January 20, 2022
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful man with so many. XO
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