Haydn Crandon Samuel, 82, of Union Dale died on August 4, 2025. He is survived by his wife of forty-nine years, Joan Doherty Samuel, son Haydn Duffy Samuel and wife Krysta, daughter Bryn Samuel and husband Andrew Brewin, and granddaughters Piper Brewin and Harper Samuel. 

Haydn is also survived by his sisters Mary Samuel Osterman, Karen Samuel Fleischer and husband David, in-laws Mari and John Doherty, Connie and Michael Dinning, Eileen Doherty-Fuller, Ann Kearney and Bill Coleman, Beth and Lewis Ting, Edwin Doherty, and numerous nieces and nephews. Haydn’s parents, Haydn and Dorothy Natishyn Samuel, and in-laws John and Florence Duffy Doherty, Stephen Doherty and Bradbury Fuller preceded him in death.  

First and foremost a family man, to the end Haydn reveled in stories about family and the accomplishments of his children and their spouses, his grandchildren, and far-flung family members. Though not given to effusive in-person praise, he would readily relate those stories to anyone with a willing ear. A graduate of Abington Heights High School, Haydn attended the University of Scranton and served in the United States Army where he was decorated for his service as a helicopter medic during the 1960s United States’ action in the Dominican Republic.

Haydn lived with an adventuresome and can-do spirit. He began skiing in 1959, the year Elk Mountain opened, and stopped only when he could not fly down a mountain without thinking about it. Haydn was a single-engine pilot with a life-long love of flying and took those skills to the water aboard his sailboat, Wingward, spending many years exploring the Chesapeake with treasured friends. When he retired as president of Eastern-Claims Service, Inc., a family-owned business started by his father which he and his uncle Gordon Samuel grew into a multi-service insurance corporation, his retirement gift to himself was navigating his boat on a four-week live-aboard excursion to southern Florida. 

Thanks to Allied Hospice personnel whose assistance was brief but invaluable, Haydn passed away in the house he himself built in 1967 overlooking Elk Mountain. When a visiting nurse asked how he was doing three days before his death, Haydn responded, “look at my view, how could I not be fine?” 

Enormous gratitude also goes to family and friends who provided support beyond measure and brought light to those last days. 

A celebration of Haydn’s life will be held at a later date.  Arrangements by the Jones & Brennan Funeral Home, 430 Main Street, Forest City.