Andrew John Samuelson

Andrew John Samuelson, born Feb. 5, 1925 in Cambridge, Mass., passed away on June 12, 2010 after two years of declining health.
A graduate of Cambridge Latin High School, he received his BS in Business Administration from Boston College and graduated from the Senior Executive Program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He retired from Firestone Tire & Rubber Company having served as Controller, Firestone Foam Products. Fall River, Mass., Director, Secretary and Treasurer of Firestone Canada Ltd. And retired as Assistant Treasurer, Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. Akron, Ohio. During his career he traveled extensively abroad to include Australia, Europe, Africa, South America and Canada and the U.S. After retiring from Firestone, he served as a consultant with Smithers Scientific Services in Akron, Ohio. He was recognized in "Who's Who in America." He served as a sergeant in the Amphibian Corps of the United States Marine Corps during World War II in battle at both Iwo Jima and Okinawa and received a Presidential Citation for exemplary service and leadership.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Peter Francis and Margaret Ellen (Shannon); his wife Rita Marie (McAlonan); and brothers, Leo, James Alfred and Francis.
He is survived by his sister, Eileen of New Hampshire; daughter, Anne Elizabeth Hogan (husband James Phillip Jr.); grandsons, Phillip Andrew and James Patrick of Burlington, N.C.; son, Andrew John Samuelson Jr. (wife Shelley) and grandsons Andrew John III and Ian of Akron, Ohio; son, James Francis (wife Patricia) and grandchildren, James Gunnar, Heddie Margaret and Adelle Marie of Columbus, Ohio.
A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he enjoyed family vacations at Cape Cod. He was also an avid and skilled golfer and member of Firestone Country Club.
A private graveside service was held at Holy Cross Cemetery. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Hillary Catholic Church, 2750 W. Market St., Akron, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 120 Wall St., 19th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10005; or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105.