Samir Jamil Shaman

Samir Jamil Shaman passed away peacefully on August 14, 2025, at the age of 82, during a late morning nap at home.

Born on July 21, 1943, in Baghdad, Iraq, Samir was the son of the late Jamil Namou Shaman and the late Rose Jarjis Roumaya. He was one of six siblings: Amel (late Saadi Shamoon), Samira (Adil Shamoon), the late Emil (Aysar Abboudi), Wasan (late Saeed Karim), and Basil (Ikram Shaman). Samir was married to the late Racha Kandalaft for 38 years, until her passing in 2008.

Samir earned a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering (Concrete Structures) from Al-Hikma (Jesuit University) in Baghdad in 1968. In addition to science and math, Samir studied theology and philosophy, and practiced debate. Therefore, Samir was known to be able to think logically through complicated problems, and he had significant positive influence on those around him.

Samir began his engineering career with the Department of Roads and Bridges in Iraq and later co-founded Ewan Engineering Office in Baghdad. His work contributed to the construction of several of Iraq's roads, bridges, and countless residential and commercial structures that still stand today.

Later, Samir pursued a career in insurance and reinsurance, becoming an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute (ACII) in London, a professional designation equivalent to a PhD. His professional training included time with Munich-Re, Swiss-Re, Commercial Union Insurance, and Royal-Re. Over his career, he held leadership roles with the Iraq National Insurance Company, Iraq-Re, Arab-Re in Lebanon, the Lebanese Engineering Pool, APC Brokerage in Cyprus, Gulf Union Insurance Group in Bahrain, Gulf Union Cooperative Insurance in Saudi Arabia, Trust International Insurance Company Cyprus branch, and Trust-Re in Bahrain where he served as Group General Manager and later Deputy COO. In retirement, he remained active as General Manager of Perfect Vision Consultants.

As an educator and a leader, Samir mentored countless trainees to achieve professional competence in the fields of Insurance, Finance, and Management. He lectured internationally on engineering insurance, with appearances in Baghdad, Laos, London, Bahrain, Singapore, Dubai, Cologne, and Beirut. His contributions are remembered fondly by colleagues and students, including tributes shared by Trust-Re and in Albayan Economics Magazine.

Samir's life was rich in experiences, having visited a total of 56 countries (that we could count) across Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. He enjoyed connecting with and learning about people everywhere. Until the turn of the century, shortwave radio was his favorite morning window to the world. During his life, Samir witnessed the aftermath of WWII, the Cuban missile crisis, the rise and collapse of a dictatorship in Iraq, two gulf wars, the turn of a millennium including Y2K, the digital revolution, the global financial crisis of the early 21st century, a modern-day pandemic, and the North American total eclipse of the sun of 2024. His favorite food included Middle Eastern and Cypriot cuisines, in addition to Borscht. He enjoyed fine dining on truffles and saffron rice, as much as he enjoyed lentil soup, boiled turnip, and okra in tomato sauce.

Samir is survived by his children: his son Ziad and his beloved daughter-in-law Yana Shevchenko of Avon, Ohio, and their children Alexandra (aka Sasha) and Paulina; and his daughter Zina and his cherished son-in-law Constantin Hadjigeorgou of Engomi, Cyprus, and their children Yiorgos and Marcos.

Please remember Samir as the man who lived a courageous life with integrity, with dignity, and without a fuss. May his soul rest in peace.

Family will receive friends for visitation Friday, September 5, 2025 from 6:00 - 8:00pm at Busch Funeral Home, 32000 Detroit Road, Avon, OH 44011. Mass of Christian burial will be Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 10:00am at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 33601 Detroit Road, Avon, OH 44011. Burial will follow in Lakewood Park Cemetery, Rocky River, OH.