John Samaritano, 75

John Samaritano of Richland, Washington died at Kadlec Hospital on February 9th, 2013, at the age of 75, after a long series of illnesses. Both of his sons were with him at the time. John lost his beloved wife and friend, Nancy, in October 2011. John is survived by his sons Evan and Michael; Michael's wife, Uschi, and his three grandchildren, Thomas, Caitlin and Grace. John is also survived by his sister, Marian Bishop, her husband Fred, and his Great Aunt, Lillian Agnello, both of New York City. John had numerous nieces and nephews who loved him dearly and will miss him.

John was born in New York, New York on February 8th, 1938 to Angelo and Elizabeth Samaritano. John moved from New York City to the Panama Canal Zone with his family in 1944 while his father worked for the Panama Canal Authority. He returned to New York City for high school and was accepted and graduated from Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan. He received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute in 1960. He proceeded to get his M.S. in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY.

On November 9, 1963 John married Nancy Samaritano and they lived in Schenectady, NY and Clifton Park, NY for 17 years, where they raised two sons. He loved Nancy dearly and doted over her for years. They were not only husband and wife, but in the end they were best friends. While in Schenectady and Clifton Park, John held various roles at General Electric. John's early years with GE were at Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, where he helped develop and design nuclear power systems for the Navy Nuclear program. He told intriguing stories of his brief encounters with Admiral Hyman Rickover, the "Father of the Nuclear Navy." John also worked as a manufacturing unit manager for GE's large steam turbine division, as well as with GE's R & D center in Schenectady. John later joined a project jointly developed by GE and Exxon related to Uranium Enrichment for nuclear fuels. The business designed, manufactured and marketed pressurized and boiling-water reactor fuels and provided related services for electric utilities. John was instrumental in shaping the business and played a key role in its development. GE left the project and this eventually led to John leaving GE for Exxon Nuclear while working in Malta, New York. In 1979, Exxon Nuclear moved John to the manufacturing and operations base in Richland, Washington.

John continued his successful career with Exxon Nuclear in Richland, Washington and joined Kraftwerk Union/Siemens in 1986 when they purchased the Exxon Nuclear business. John remained in management roles with Siemens and retired from Siemens in 1996.

What was so amazing about John was his ability to make others feel good about being around him. His notable humor and the joy of work well done was infectious. Many of the friendships he made in his career carried over from the early Sixties with GE in New York and the Eighties and Nineties in Richland. These relationships continued to remain strong until the end. What is notable is that fifteen years after he retired, former coworkers would still say he was the best colleague and manager, as well as one of the smartest men they ever worked with during his career.

One of John's most endearing traits was his willingness to spend hours talking to his far flung relatives, friends and even acquaintances; dispensing wisdom and good advice. Many evenings and weekends were filled with someone calling him seeking thoughtful and wise counsel; to ask him about school, work or family problems. He would always stop whatever he was doing and give them his full attention for as long as they needed.

John was a loving and nurturing father to his two sons, Evan and Michael, as well as the whole family. He was a warm, wonderful grandfather and uncle and his grandchildren, nieces and nephews will miss his counsel and wit dearly.

Memorial services will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church on Saturday, February 16 at 10:00 AM.

Please send flowers for the service to Einan's Funeral Home, 915 Bypass Highway, Richland WA 99352 in care of Director Al Derr 509-943-1114.

Thanks to everyone for your kind words, thoughts and prayers.