Henry (Hank) Samoriski

BUCKLAND - Henry "Hank" Samoriski, 91, died peacefully at home in Buckland on Saturday, September 24, 2016. He was born on the family farm in the Patten District of Shelburne Center on June 28, 1925, the son of Mary Doniec and Anthony Samorajski. Hank attended a nearby one room school, then the consolidated school and graduated from Arms Academy in 1943. His plans to attend college were abruptly changed by the war, and he entered the Navy in the Fall of 1943 where he gained considerable electronic experience. On November 25, 1944 he completed his training in airborne electronics maintenance at the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Corpus Christi, TX. In 1946 he matriculated at Harvard where he studied philosophy and Russian. He received a degree in government, graduating in 1949. Following Harvard he attended Stanford Law School where he studied with Sandra Day O'Connor and William Rehnquist, both of whom later served on the Supreme Court. 

After a year he decided that law was not his calling and contemplated other careers. In 1950 he was one of only 12 people accepted at the prestigious Coro Foundation in San Francisco. At Coro he gained valuable experience as an intern in municipal affairs, doing a stint with the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office and completing his internship on June 28, 1951. Following the Coro Foundation, Hank learned that the Central Intelligence Agency was interviewing new prospects, and he began an intensive application process. In January of 1952 he was invited to proceed to Washington D.C. for final processing. On June 14th, 1952 Hank married Juliana Sivik and was immediately transferred to an overseas assignment in Germany.

In July 1953, Hank was assigned to Washington, DC. Then in June of 1959 Hank and his family left for Saipan in the Marianas flying via Military Air Transport. From Saipan Hank regularly flew to Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, the Philippines, and Cambodia for his work. His career then brought him to Jakarta, Indonesia, then Chiang Mai, Thailand and eventually a solo stint in Vietnam.

On November 22, 1978 Hank received the CIA's coveted Career Intelligence Medal for 27 years of exceptional achievement. "During this period Mr. Samoriski held a series of increasingly responsible positions both in Headquarters and overseas as a training officer and as an operations officer. His demonstrated skill as an instructor and dedication to the overall training program within the Agency earned for him the respect of his superiors and subordinates alike. Mr. Samoriski's performance throughout his career resulted in a substantial contribution which reflects credit on him and the Federal service." Hank retired at the age of 54 following his three years in the Navy and 27 years with the CIA.

Upon retiring, he continued to work with the CIA as a consultant and field training officer for two years, then he returned to the family farm in Shelburne where he planted hundreds of fruit trees, primarily apple, and maintained a thriving orchard. He was President of the Elks and a member of Kiwanis; for many years he was an active board member and supporter of the Mary Lyon Foundation.

In 2004 Hank married Susan Benton Silvester and moved to the Mary Lyon House in Buckland. He was a voracious reader and built an admirable collection of fiction and non-fiction books. Hank possessed a sharp wit and a great sense of humor. He traveled with his family to South America, Central America, Asia and Europe on many occasions; he was also a gifted writer and enjoyed writing accounts of his travels. Hank spoke six languages and read Italian newspapers. In celebration of his 80th birthday, his memoirs were printed. Hank loved ice cream, reading non-fiction, political discussions, keeping track of the stock market and traveling. He was an excellent speaker, a good listener and great conversationalist. Above all, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

Hank will be sadly missed by his wife Susan, twin daughters Susan Scott (Steve Kinnett) of Woodbridge VA and Sara Schnabel (Mark) of Kapolei HI, and daughters Patricia Steer (Cliff) of Eagan MN, Frances Vincent (Peter) of Slingerlands NY, son Jan of Tiffin OH, and stepdaughter Betsey Silvester of North Andover MA, grandchildren Catie Minogue (Bryan) of Oneonta NY, Andrew Vincent (Becca Young) of Delmar NY, Samuel Vincent of Slingerlands NY, Christopher and Brandon Steer of Eagan MN, Lindsey Steer of NYC, Kara and Ellen Samoriski of Cleveland OH, his sister Irene Moody of Shrewsbury MA, and his brother Thaddeus Samorajski (Lisa) of Bellaire TX. Hank was a favorite uncle and role model for many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his first wife Julie and a brother, Dr. Anthony Samorajski.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 2 at 1:00 pm at the Mary Lyon Church, 17 Upper Street, Buckland MA 01338. Contributions in Hank's memory may be sent to the Mary Lyon Foundation, P.O. Box 184, Shelburne Falls MA 01370. Smith-Kelleher Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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