REMEMBERING SAMSON ADERA

Born on November 15, 1953 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Samson Adera was a beloved friend and member of our community. A plane mechanic by trade, Samson fled to United States as a political refugee in the late 1970s.

Coming here alone, Samson displayed remarkable resilience by making a new life for himself here in America. First settling in Baltimore before eventually making his was to New York City, he worked as a mechanic and later as a custodian.

A devout Lutheran, Samson would often quote the bible and draw strength from his faith. He was a regular attendee of the Broadway Presbyterian Church and the Advent Lutheran Church, both on the Upper West Side.

Besides his faith, he took great joy in music, film, and reading books on physics and mathematics. Despite navigating homelessness for many years, Samson always maintained a positive attitude and was always smiling.

He passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 26, 2025 and left behind no known family or next of kin. Asked a few days before how he would like to be honored, Samson alluded to Matthew 25. “Feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, clothe the naked, and shelter the homeless.”

In his honor, we have established this fund, 100% of which will go towards Samson’s wishes to feed, clothe, and shelter people experiencing homelessness in the city and neighborhood he loved.

Samson will be missed dearly, but he will never be forgotten.

Details on a memorial service will be announced in the coming weeks.