Louis P. Samuels

Funeral service for Louis P. Samuels, 91, who passed away Thursday, May 29, 2014, will be held Sunday, June 1, 2014 at 1:30 pm at Temple Israel, 1400 S. Peninsula Drive Daytona Beach. Interment will follow at Mt. Sinai Cemetery. When Lou Samuels came to Daytona Beach to served in the Navy as a Radar Instructor in 1944-46 during World War II, he never imagined that he would live here for most of the next 70 years and become one of its most respected and tireless leaders. From his religious community, to the arts, the medical and other health care organizations, and pioneering the construction industry, Lou was instrumental in founding and directing the development of the local area for much of the second half of the 20th century. Born on August 5, 1922 in Braddock, Pennsylvania, he was an engineering graduate of Carnegie Institute of Technology. After graduation, he worked with the Metals Research Laboratory at Carnegie Tech before entering the Navy. During his station in Daytona Beach, he met his future wife Elaine, a Daytona native. They married in 1947 and returned to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, his hometown. Louis tried his hand at selling cars, but the lure of Daytona Beach was too great and he and his wife returned in 1948. He founded R&R Industries, a roofing and air conditioning business, in 1948 and became a major real estate developer, responsible for many area subdivisions, condo and apartment buildings, shopping centers and hotels. Lou soon became involved in his adopted community, serving as president of many community organizations including Temple Israel, United Jewish Appeal (Jewish Federation), the Civic League, D.B. Area Committee of 100, the East Volusia-Flagler County Chapter of the American Red Cross, Easter Seals, Halifax Hospital Associates and Board of Directors and the Holly Hill Rotary Club. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the Shrine. He was a founding member of the Halifax Club, and served as chair of the Cancer Crusade for the American Cancer Society of East Volusia County. Lou was past chairman of Sun Bank of Volusia County serving on its board for 18 years and was a longtime member of the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board where he served as a Director of the Florida Roofing, Sheet metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Association until appointed to State Licensing Board. He was a member of the group that initiated bringing the London Symphony Orchestra to Daytona Beach performing concerts on the 1960's. He and his wife hosted fundraisers for the original Florida International Festival, serving on its Board of Directors. He served on the boards of both Holly Hill and Daytona Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Regional Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida and was instrumental in the development of the Halifax Hospital Regional Oncology Center. In 1980 he received the first Annual Award by the Volusia Medical Society for distinguished service by a lay person. For his devotion to the community, Lou was the recipient of many awards, most notably J. Saxton Lloyd Distinguished Community Service Award from the Civic League of the Halifax area. Louis Samuels is predeceased by Elaine Roth Samuels (wife), Marvin Samuels (son), Rebecca Prince (granddaughter), Jeremy Samuels (grandson). Survivors include his wife of over 30 years, Judy Roth Samuels; children: Marlane Samuels Prince, Neil Samuels (Linda), Karen Samuels (Rob Rothman), Suzanne Samuels Konchan (David); grandchildren: Gregory Prince (Zamira), Elaine Samuels (Arne Buthmann), Abbey Konchan and Sam Konchan; great grandchildren: Celeste Prince and Emma Prince;step children: Randy Friedlander (Julie), Doug Friedlander (Anne), William Steuer (Randi) and Becky Rochester (Phil); and sisters Esther Kaplan and Martha Epstein. In lieu of other remembrances the family requests donations be made to The Jerry Doliner Food Bank, c/o Jewish Federation of Volusia / Flagler, 470 Andalusia Ave., Ormond Beach, FL 32174 or Temple Israel 1400 S. Peninsula Drive, Daytona Beach, FL 32118 or Hospice Trauma and Loss Center at hospicefundev @halifax.org. Condolences to the family may be left at www.dalewoodwardfuneralhomes.com.