Sam Miran, 95 never forgot a name, a face, a kindness, or the lyrics to the endless number of songs that he liked. He was a fan of fine tailoring, (matching watch bands with colorful ties and pocket squares), jazz music and every Philadelphia sports team. He believed in hard work, equal opportunity and lived by the motto "If You're Going To Do Something - Do It Right".

A 34 year veteran of Scott Paper Company, Sam Miran passed away on March 24, 2015, at the age of almost 96, at the Maris Grove Community in Glen Mills, PA.

Born Samuel Karekin Miranshahian in Philadelphia on March 30, 1919 the second child of Armenian immigrants Karekin Hamparzoom Miranshahian and Siranoosh Bedookian Miranshahian. He attended Northeast High in Philadehia. Sam enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942. Yeoman 1st Class Miran was a Port Director in New York City. By day, he helped inspect the safety of the vital port facilities and by night he inspected New York's bustling jazz clubs.

Following an honorable discharge in 1945, Sam attended night school classes to secure his high school degree. Sam gained admittance to the University of Pennsylvania and graduated from Penn with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics in August 1949. Almost immediately, he began his career at hometown paper goods producer Scott Paper, specializing in Sales and Marketing. His 34-year career took the Mirans up and down the East Coast and also included a five year stint in Mexico City, from 1971-1976, running Scott's operations there. Sam Miran retired from Scott Paper in 1983 and was inducted into the Scott Paper Hall of Fame in 1985.

On a momentous day in late September of 1950, Sam's Phillies team, the Whiz Kids, won a rare National League Pennant. Much more importantly, it was the day he met Mary Elizabeth Philipp, a Syracuse graduate known to everyone as just Liz. They married on May 5th, 1951, a union lasting 56 years. They celebrated their 50th anniversary by hosting a gathering of the entire family at the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

From 1964-1971, the Miran family members were active members of the Radley Run Country Club in West Chester, PA. Here, Sam was the founder and host of the annual Miran Invitational Golf Tournament (MIGT). Unlike most traditional tournaments and perhaps as an acknowledgment to the challenges of the sport for Sam, the MIGT trophy was awarded to the golfer who amassed the most strokes over the two-day event. Sam declared himself ineligible for the title however.

In Mexico City, the Mirans lived and played at the Club de Golf La Hacienda. Sam was also a leader of the American high school's athletic support organization, the Bear Boosters.

In retirement, Sam and Liz traveled extensively and enjoyed frequent visits with grandchildren. Sam was a regular volunteer at Crozier Chester Hospital, where he founded the Zipper Club, a peer counseling group for other patients who had undergone open heart surgery. He also took part in the Meals on Wheels program.

Sam was preceded in death by Liz and by his sister, Florence Mirzoeff of Sprinfield, PA. He is survived by his three children, Karl Miran of Edison, NJ, Alec Miran of Lutherville, MD and Liza Ridgway of Pleasanton, CA, and his loving nephew, John Mirzoeff of Springfield, PA. He leaves eight grandchildren; Seth, Jason and Alec Miran; Mason and Carter Ridgway; and Blaire Miran and Brett and Mark Winkel.

Services:

On Sunday, April 19th, Memorial events will begin with a receiving line at the Chapel at the Maris Grove Community in Glen Mills, PA at 10:00 a.m. This will be followed by an 11:00 a.m. service at the same location. Everyone is invited to a Music and Memories reception in the Catering Room on the Maris campus immediately following the service. Hors D'Ouvers and drinks will be served. We urge all attendees to bring their recollections and stories about Sam to help with the celebration.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS: Donations in Sam's memory may be made to either the Resident Care Fund - or - The Scholars' Fund both c/o Maris Grove/Office of Philanthropy, 200 Maris Grove Way, Glen Mills, PA 19342