Lynn - James Samms, age 83 of Lynn, died on Monday, August 3, 2026, at Brightview Nursing and Rehabilitation, Danvers, after a lengthy illness. He was the husband of the late Karen Ellen (Sanders) Samms.

Born in Boston, he was the son of the late James C. and Catherine G. (Mercurio) Samms. He was raised in Boston and Saugus and lived in Swampscott until moving to Lynn with his partner Joyce in 2016.

James had served in the US Navy as an Electronics Technician and then had served the Town of Swampscott Fire Department, retiring after 25 years as a Captain. After his retirement from the fire department, he would work as the Electrical Inspector for Swampscott.

He enjoyed working, reading, gardening, exercising, walking the beach, and family barbecues. His greatest joy came from spending time with his family and friends.

He is survived by his daughters; Kim Marie Mento and her husband Dan Barthel of Salem, Cheryl Ann Sill and her partner Rich Cassidy of Swampscott, and Sonia Kay Samms of Washington State, his partner Joyce Redford of Lynn, his grandchildren; Tiffany, Melissa, Michael, Jennifer, Jillian, Trevor, Kayla, David, and Brianna, 14 great grandchildren, a sister Cecilia Duggan of Saugus, and 2 nieces. He was father of the late James F. Samms Jr. the grandfather of the late Quincy Samms Boob, and the brother of the late Robert Samms.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, August 10, 2026 at 12:00PM in St. John the Evangelist Church, Swampscott. Burial will follow in Swampscott Cemetery. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held at the Solimine Funeral Home on Monday, prior to Mass, from 9:00AM-11:30AM. Donations may be made to St. Francis House 39 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116 or American Parkinson Disease Association 715 Albany St., Suite C329 Boston, MA 02118. Directions and guestbook at www.solimine.com