Samuel Starr

Samuel Starr, 74, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday evening at his uniform store on Center Street, where he held court with generations of firemen and policemen in the community.  The son of the late Arnold and Elma Starr, Sam was raised in Scranton and returned after graduating from C.W. Post College at Long Island University.  Though Sam left Scranton from time to time, his heart never did; there were few places he would rather be.

Sam built his successful business through a combination of business acumen, undeniable charm, and an uncanny memory of customer measurements and preferences. He was a pillar of the local community and found immense satisfaction doing favors for old or new friends, never expecting anything in return.  Sam was renowned for his generosity whether it came in the form of warm, military-inspired socks or a much-needed donation.

Inheriting a lifelong passion for cars from his father Arnold, Sam spent many a Sunday downshifting through the back roads of Newton in one of his sports cars. His children and grandchildren were only too happy to join him for many of these rides, which usually ended with an ice cream.

In the last 10 years, Sam and his beloved wife Lisa discovered the serenity of Lake Ontario in Upstate New York, where they spent many afternoons kayaking and watching the sun set over the lake from their deck. Sam was a devoted animal lover and a longtime sponsor of Indraloka Animal Sanctuary in Dalton.

Sam is survived by his wife of 40 years Lisa Luger Starr, sister Susan Starr, sons Adam (Esther) and Daniel and daughter Lindsay Gray Landman (Mark). Affectionately called Peepa, Sam is also survived by his grandchildren Charlie Landman, Max Landman, Will Starr, Ali Starr and Enzo Starr, Sam was a doting grandfather. They could always count on him for an irreverent prank, a $100 bill or a rice pudding. 

A funeral service will be held Friday at 11:30 a.m. in the auditorium of the Jewish Community Center of Scranton, 601 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, by Rabbi Dovid Saks and Cantor Vladimir Aronzon. Interment to follow in Temple Israel Cemetery, Dunmore.

The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service in the auditorium of the Jewish Community Center of Scranton.

For those unable to attend the funeral, services can be viewed on the funeral home Facebook page or via www.scrantonfilms.com/livestream.

Friends will be received during shiva at the family residence on Saturday evening from 6 to 8 p.m.; Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.; and Monday and Tuesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m.

Contributions in Sam’s memory may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at www.t2t.org; to Jewish Family Service of NEPA at www.jfsnepa.org; or to the Indraloka Animal Sanctuary at www.indraloka.org.

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