James J. Samalis

James J. Samalis, 82, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2026, in Milford, MA.. Born on February 14, 1944, in Boston, MA, he was the beloved son of the late James G. and Stasia W. (Saxon) Samalis.

James graduated from Matignon High School in Arlington, MA, and furthered his education at Wentworth Institute of Technology, where he honed the skills that would serve him throughout his successful career. For 30 years, he was a dedicated employee at Polaroid, where his work ethic and commitment to excellence were well known and respected.

In 1967, James married the love of his life, Claudia M. (Silva) Samalis, and together they built a life filled with joy, laughter, and unwavering support for one another. Their union was blessed with two wonderful children, Stephen W. Samalis of Auburn and Laura C. Samalis of Milford.

Jim's legacy continued to grow with the addition of his cherished grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Nikolas, and W. Travis Poplaski, Jr., and Giana Samalis, and he was overjoyed to become a great-grandfather to Violet Ducharme. He took immense pleasure in spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchild, sharing stories, wisdom, and creating memories that will be treasured forever. He is also survived by nieces, nephews and cousins.

An avid sports enthusiast, James enjoyed not only watching sports but also collecting and selling sport memorabilia. His passion for the game was matched by his competitive spirit, which he channeled as a member of the Hoboken Club Pitch league in Milford. His friends and fellow league members will fondly remember his good-natured rivalry and camaraderie.

Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026 from 10:30AM to 12 Noon in the Buma-Sargeant Funeral Home, 42 Congress St., Milford, MA, followed by a funeral service at 12 Noon in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Breakthrough Type 1 Diabetes, Formerly JDRF, PO Box 5042 Hagerstown, MD 21741-5042 and Rhett's Syndrome Angels, 217 South Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02453.