Samuel Sheres

Samuel Sheres was born Nissim Cohen on November 27, 1924—Thanksgiving Day—in New York City to Simeon and Eliza Halfon Cohen. His parents, Sephardic Jews, emigrated from Turkey to the United States in 1920.

Sam graduated DeWitt Clinton High School at age 16 and in 1943 he enlisted in the US Army Air Corp. After leaving the Army, he used his GI Bill to attend NYU and St. John’s Law School. He served as an Assistant US Attorney for the Southern District of NY, under Robert Morganthau. In 1966 he was appointed to the position of Second Deputy Fire Commissioner by Mayor Lindsay and was later promoted to First Deputy Fire Commissioner for the City of New York. In 1972 Sam was appointed as a federal prosecutor in the Department of Justice where he was in charge of a special criminal narcotics division in Miami and later, from Washington, DC. After retiring from the federal government he opened a private law practice in Miami. He had a lively and highly respected career, and loved his life in the rough and tumble world of criminal law.

Most importantly, Sam was a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His greatest love in life was his family, and he was the patriarch—the pasha—of a large extended family, including his wife of 44 years, Barbara; and his children Brian, Stuart, Lisa (Jim), Peter (Suzanne) and Janet (Brian). He was Poppy to his 11 grandchildren--Nicole, Amanda, Jason, Marissa, Michael, Samantha, Daniel, Claire, Eric, Sam and Emily, and was a very proud great-grandfather to Charlotte, Lucas and Evelyn. His devotion included his deep love for his first wife of 18 years, Claire Sheres, who passed away in 1968.

His motto in life, “viva yo,” meant for Sam that life was meant to be lived to the fullest. He managed to do that, in ways large and small, for 89 years. A serious athlete up until his mid 80s, Sam was a wonderful tennis player who never missed his weekly games. His keen and pointed sense of humor; his thirst for learning and education, especially in law and history; his many friends; and his love of music, dancing and celebration were the hallmarks of his life. His family will miss him beyond measure.

Arrangements under the direction of Riverside Gordon Memorial Chapels, Miami, FL.