Sammy G. Shina

Sammy G. Shina, of Framingham, MA, passed away on October 25, 2025 at the age 81. Sammy G. Shina was born in Baghdad, Iraq, on September 28, 1944, the fourth of seven children to Khatoun and Gourgi Shina. A valedictorian of the Frank Iny School, he embarked on his American dream as an undergraduate at MIT just before his sixteenth birthday, graduating in 1966 with a dual B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering and Industrial Management. His commitment to academics continued with an M.S. in Computer Science from WPI in 1972 and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Tufts University in 1998.

Sammy began his career in high-tech, joining RCA and then Hewlett Packard's innovation team in its early days. He later transitioned to manufacturing, where he became an expert and a lecturer for the Six Sigma Institute on Quality and Concurrent Engineering. His teaching career started as an adjunct professor in the night school at UMass Lowell. After earning his Ph.D., he became a full-time Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Professor Emeritus at UMass Lowell. He was honored at the Massachusetts State House as the Academic Champion of Toxics Use Reduction for his leadership at the TURI Institute at UMass Lowell. He independently consulted and provided expert witness services for Fortune 500 companies. His career was marked by numerous accolades, including authoring six books, publishing over 100 technical papers, presenting at national and international conferences, founding the Co-op program in manufacturing and industrial engineering at UMass Lowell, and mentoring countless students. He helped launch many successful careers, a highlight he cherished deeply, demonstrating his profound impact on many lives.

A true renaissance man, Sammy relished in trying and succeeding at anything and everything including sailing, scuba diving, skiing, tennis, biking, and earning his pilot's license. His passion for travel took him to every corner of the world.

Sammy's greatest love and joy came from his family. He shared 57 wonderful years with the love of his life, his wife Jacqueline (Marks) Shina, whom he met on a blind date while at MIT. His children, Mike (Robyn) Shina, Gail (Michael) Browne, Nancy (Dan) Shina, and Jonathan (Tricia) Shina, were his pride and joy. He was fiercely proud and his love had no bounds for his nine grandchildren: Riordan Shina, Isaac Browne, Beverly Browne, Nolan Shina, Jessie Aguirre, Piper Browne, Matthew Aguirre, Benji Aguirre, and the newest addition to the Shina Clan, Alex Shina, born this past April. He is survived by his siblings Lily, Daisy, Vivienne, Nadia, Alfred, and we remember his late sister Gladys. His circle of love extended to his nieces and nephews around the globe.

To say that Sammy was loved is an understatement. He was our patriarch, the best husband, father, grandfather, and professor who lived life to the fullest and touched so many. He gave us all so much and made us who we are, and we will honor his legacy every day.