Obituary of Christian Mark Samay

The Lord came early for Christian Mark Samay bringing him to Heaven to be a bright light shining down on his family, many friends, and country that he loved so deeply. His 22 years on earth were marked by his unique humor, contagious laugh, radiant charm, beautiful smile, passion for life, loyalty to all of those he loved and protected, and heart of a lion.

Christian was first-born to proud parents Christian and Allison (Blender) Samay. Walking by 9 months, he showed early signs of a pure natural athlete. His athletic prowess, and unbeatable work ethic that accompanied his God-given gifts, were apparent to all he faced on the game fields of life. He played to win and won often as a young lacrosse player in Mountain Lakes and club soccer team starter that earned the #1 ranking in the state, top 10 status in the country, and first-time champions representing the USA U18 team in the Barcelona Summer Cup. He was the consummate team player, a loyal teammate, a dominant and talented physical force, and captain of his high school soccer team for two years. He loved his childhood in Mountain Lakes and his closest K-12 friends and families that he still adores today from above.

Following graduation from Mountain Lakes High School in 2020, Christian attended Bucknell University where he majored in Political Science and minored in Legal Studies. He thrived at Bucknell as a Dean’s List student and active brother of the Phi Gama Delta (FIJI) fraternity, where he was elected to serve as VP and Treasurer his junior year. Christian loved his life and his time with his best boys and girls at Bucknell. Nothing will ever come between them, whether this life or the next.

Christian worked as an investment banking analyst in the summers, but was likely destined to pursue a life in the law to best use his powers of persuasion, superb communication skills, and ethical fairness to win on the side of the angels. When he was not working, he hit the beach and golf course (and mini-golf course) with family and friends on the weekends. He loved grilling the meats on the deck in Normandy, sunset boat rides and waterskiing on the open bay, beach days with an American flag planted in the sand next to him, and goofing around making his friends and family laugh to stitches. He had great knowledge of history and worked out religiously taking care of both his mind and body as a sharp, strong, and handsome man. 

The positive impact that Christian has had on the people who knew will transcend his lifetime. He lived every day of his life with passion, zeal, and love for those important to him.  He would often engage in random acts of kindness toward perfect strangers and was never afraid to stand up for what was right and to protect his loved ones under any circumstances. He was cool as the breeze, so comfortable and confident in his own skin, making those around him always feel the center of his attention. And his positive light will radiate on all of us forever, like the warm sun that rises every morning and sets every night.

Christian is survived by his loving parents Christian and Allison Samay of Mountain Lakes, NJ, and by his adoring sister’s Ava and Emily Samay. He is also survived by his maternal grandfather Mark Blender, paternal grandparents Z. Lance Samay and Linda Mack, his uncle Scott and his wife Susan Samay, his aunt Heather and her husband Steve Nyberg, his uncle Eric Samay, and cousins Matthew Samay, Katie Samay, Brendan Nyberg, Natalie Samay, Tyler Nyberg, and Ali Nyberg.  We all love you so much and miss you profoundly.

Visitation will be held on Friday April 5, 2024, from 4:00PM to 8:00PM at Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Avenue Denville, NJ 07834 www.normandean.com.  A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday April 6, at 10:00AM at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 10 North Pocono Rd. Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046.  Entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery Mausoleum in East Hanover, NJ.

"The Samay family is thankful for your support and generous donations to Tunnels to Towers and the Wounded Warrior Project in memory of Christian."