Captain Michael Samaras, 84, of Ormond Beach, Florida passed away on November 23, 2015.

Captain Samaras was born in Piraeus, Greece in 1931 to the late Alexander Samaras and Vasiliki Lefaki Samaras. He joined the Greek Merchant Marines when he was 15 years old, working his way up to the rank of Captain. During his twenty seven years as a merchant marine he traveled the world including stops at New York City where he met his future wife, Christine Apostolakis of Montreal, Canada. After marriage they were often on the boat together sailing the world until his retirement from the Merchant Marines in 1973 when they moved to Daytona Beach, Florida. Capt. Samaras worked various jobs around the Daytona Beach area until 2005. He attended St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church where he was a member of the choir and a church member for many years. He will always be remembered for his joyful smile and bright blue eyes that lit up whenever he greeted someone, especially his grandchildren who will sorely miss their loving "Papou".

Capt. Samaras was preceded in death by his wife, Christine Samaras and brother John Samaras. His is survived by his sister Mary Koussoula of Greece; three children , Alex (Julie) Samaras of Tampa, John (Mary) Samaras of Tampa and Vicki (Mark) Roberts of South Carolina; eight grandchildren; one great grandchild; and many other friends and family members who will miss him dearly.

Services will be held at 10am on Saturday, November 28 at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 129 N. Halifax Ave, Daytona Beach. Services are being arranged by Lohman Funeral Home, Ormond Beach (386-673-1100).