Memories Logo
Log in
  • Memorial
  • Biography
  • Tributes
    Image
    Celebrating the life of

    Samuel Ansell

    25 May 1922 - 01 Aug 2021

    Family and friends

    The page celebrates the life of Sam Ansell, husband, father, grandfather. He was a multi-faceted man with a love of life, opera, architecture, comic strips, his grand-kids, and especially eating his wife Na'ama's amazing cooking. Sam was a cartoonist, writer, businessman, ad copywriter, traveler, mountain climber, joke maker, singer of off-key songs, and so much more. Please share your memori... more

    Join Memories to request access to contribute your cherished photos, videos, and stories to Samuel's memorial with others who loved them.

    Join Memories
    1924Newton, MA, United States

    Gideon Ansell The future Navy Ensign Ansell.

    1925Newton, MA, United States

    Gideon Ansell Sam and cat X

    1930Old Orchard Beach, ME, United States

    Gideon Ansell Sam and cousins on his back at Old Orchard Beach, ME

    1933Newton, MA, United States

    Gideon Ansell Sam and his sister Sophia. He adored her.

    1937Newton, MA, United States

    Gideon Ansell Sophia and Sam on skis

    1940

    Gideon Ansell Entering Harvard in 1940

    1943

    Gideon Ansell NSFW? On the beach with his sister Sophia

    1944Cambridge, MA, United States

    Gideon Ansell Sam did a whole series of these "Send your x to y and watch them develop" this one is from the Harvard Lampoon, 1944.

    1945

    Gideon Ansell Columbia Jester. Sam, the journalism major, was both poet and illustrator.

    4 Aug 1945New York, NY, United States

    Gideon Ansell Columbia Jester. Sam started using the alias Eddie Fields way back when was writing humor columns for his Newton High paper. He kept it up throughout his cartooning career

    1946

    Gideon Ansell Sam's art on the cover of the Columbia Jester. This cover was featured in Look magazine that year in an article about the new wave of college humor magazines like the Lampoon and Jester.

    1946New York, NY, United States

    Gideon Ansell From Sam's Columbia University yearbook. "I am and have always been a bum"

    1946

    Gideon Ansell Sam could have drawn for the super hero comics of the day. He was that good... but he wasn't into that medium.

    Dec 1951

    Gideon Ansell Sam and Na'ama at their engagement party.

    Paula S. Sam and Na’ama. A love story.
    1958Rye, NY, United States

    Gideon Ansell Sam did all the voices when he read us this. It was a nighttime ritual. I can still hear his deep Pooh voice and squeaky Piglet.

    1960New York, NY, United States

    Gideon Ansell Drawing for a toll booth machine company brochure. Sam was the head of advertising there (and the only ad person)

    1960Rye, NY, United States

    Gideon Ansell Barnaby was one of Sam's favorite cartoons, and so it became one of mine. Sam read it to me as a kid and then I read them all when I was old enough. We both appreciated the sophisticated wit and simple, unique style of Crockett Johnson... who would later go on to create Harold and the Purple Crayon.

    2 Aug 1964Rye, NY, United States

    Gideon Ansell Coffee time in Rye

    1968

    Aliza Ansell Sam and Zizi at the beach

    1972Wayland, MA, United States

    Gideon Ansell Lounging on the deck with his best girl.

    1974Wayland, MA, United States

    Gideon Ansell Sam sharing a joke with Na'ama and Zizi.

    1975

    Gideon Ansell

    2 Sep 1990Dorchester, MA

    Gideon Ansell Grampa Sam admiring his granddaughter Addie.

    1997Groton, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam and Zizi in Groton, Ma

    1997La Verna, Italy

    Lionel Joseph Sam & Buzzy in La Verna

    Lionel J. After meeting Na'ama and Sam in January, 1997, we accepted their invitation and made the 1st of many trips to visit them in Carpiano. So ma...
    1997Wendell, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam and Na'ama for a walk in Wendell State Park.

    1997Carpiano, Umbria, Italy

    Lionel Joseph Sam & Na'ama in Carpiano

    Lionel J. What amazing hosts!!! They were so generous and hospitable!! And such good tour guides! We did lots of fascinating exploring.
    1998Italy

    Aliza Ansell Sam and Patrick in Italy.

    1999Umbria, Italy

    Gideon Ansell When Sam and Na'ama lived in Italy Sam wrote Sam-o-grams, humorous accounts of their travels illustrated with his cartoons.

    1999Carpiano, Umbria, Italy

    Lionel Joseph Clowning in Carpiano

    2000Dorchester, MA

    Gideon Ansell Grandpa Sam shares a laugh with Grandma Na'ama and a very impish Addie

    2000Apulia, Italy

    Gideon Ansell Sam and Na'ama hiking in Italy

    16 Jun 2001Carpiano, Umbria, Italy

    Evelyn Rosenthal My mom, Barbara, and I (Evelyn), with Sam & Na'ama, Cathy Stone, and Patrick & Paola, in their backyard in Italy. The trip was a highlight of both my and my mom's lives--Italy, and spending lovely time with the wonderful Ansells!

    Aug 2003Italy

    Gideon Ansell

    Paula S. I took this picture in Sorrento! (I think I was 2001.)
    23 Sep 2005Gubbio, Italy

    Amos Ben-Meir I have really fond memories of this trip to Italy. I visited with Na'ama and Sam for 3-4 days at their villa near Gubbio in Umbria, Italy. It was a lot of fun. we visited the surrounding towns, had lots of cappuccino stops and enjoyed good Italian food. This was around September/October 2005 and Sam was a very youthful 83!

    2006

    Gideon Ansell Grampa Sam and Ivan enjoy a joke together.

    15 Jun 2006Carpiano, Italy

    Lionel Joseph On the terrace with Lionel and friends Gianni and Ruth

    Lionel J. Countless evenings in Carpiano: scrumptious supper on the terrace, the sun setting over the mountains, lots of good conversation. And Sam...
    2007

    Gideon Ansell Multi-generational book club... with Gideon in '63 an Ivan in 2007.

    2007Barre, VT, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam at Hope Cemetery in Barre VT, famous for their spectacular stone work!

    12 Sep 2009Groton, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam and Ivan sharing Calvin and Hobbs.

    2010Citta di Castello, Umbria, Italy

    Paola Wright Sam introduced our daughter Viola to Calvin and Hobbes. She was 5 at the time and took to the books like a fish takes to water. New Calvin and Hobbes books became Viola's favourite birthday and Christmas presents. She was later on diagnosed with dyslexia which was not eased by being bilingual. But reading her C&H books was somehow never an issue and gave her the comfort and the strength to overcome the hardest hurdles in school. Thank you Sam for being such a caring, deeply insightful, wonderfully hilarious friend. You are one of a kind. Paola, Patrick and Viola

    2010Waltham, MA, United States

    Gideon Ansell Grampa, Grandma, Ivan, and Addie

    2011Groton, MA, United States

    Na'ama Ansell Sam and Ivan sharing Calvin and Hobbs

    2011Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam, Na'ama, Zizi , Ric and Leya.

    2011Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Real snow birds.

    2011

    Gideon Ansell Enjoying the book grandaughter Leya wrote for him on his 90th birthday.

    Gideon A. Sharing a book with grandaughter Leya
    2011Boston, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Addie, Sam and Na'ama at the Museum of Fine Arts

    17 Dec 2011Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Face Painting time with Leya, Zizi, Sam and Ric

    2012Waltham, MA, United States

    Na'ama Ansell Sam with the Lubin sisters

    Aliza A. S &NU (Sam & Na'ama University) sweatshirt designed by Ric, using one of Sam's cartoons.
    2 May 2012Bryn Mawr, PA, United States

    Gideon Ansell Sam & Addie at Bryn Mawr.

    2013

    Gideon Ansell Sam and sister in law Yael

    11 Jan 2013Waltham, MA, United States

    Gideon Ansell Sam, Ivan, Mary and Na'ama celebrating Na'ama's birthday.

    30 Mar 2013Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam reading Na'ama's grandfather memoirs at Passover 2013

    22 Jun 2013

    Aliza Ansell Leya's 9th bithday with family!

    22 Jun 2013Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Leya and Sam

    18 Oct 2013Cummington, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam, Mikie and Yael cracking up!

    18 Oct 2013North Adams, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam at Mass MoCA

    2014Cambridge, MA, United States

    Gideon Ansell Sam and Zizi at his Harvard class of '44 reunion 70th reunion.

    24 May 2014Cummington, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam holding court with David, Rick and Na'ama at Zizi's house in Cummington, MA

    26 Nov 2014Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam and Addie sharing a moment

    23 Aug 2015North Adams, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Ric guarding Na'ama and Sam outside the tent at Mass Moca.

    2016Waltham, MA, United States

    Gideon Ansell Salut!

    25 May 2016Amherst, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Ric, Leya, Na'ama and Sam in Amherst

    14 Jul 2016

    Aliza Ansell Sam enjoying some cold water before Zizi and Ric's wedding.

    14 Jul 2016Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Father and Son (Seth and Sam) at Ric and Zizi's wedding reception.

    15 Jul 2016Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam, Mikie and Na'ama cracking up at Zizi's wedding reception.

    15 Jul 2016

    Aliza Ansell Sam congratulating the wedding couple (he finally lived long enough to see his daughter get married off...for only 15 goats and 3 camels).

    15 Jul 2016Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Yael and Sam at Zizi and Ric's wedding reception

    18 Dec 2016Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Grandma Na'ama and Grandpa Sam in their hand-knit hats by Ashley Mallon (Granddaughter-in-law)

    18 Dec 2016Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam putting on Chaunukah present from Ashley

    2017Brewster, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam & Na'ama posing by the water with Addie & Ashley after their wedding.

    2017Brewster, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam admiring his beautiful granddaughter at her wedding.

    2017Brewster, MA, United States

    Na'ama Ansell Father and son (Seth) at Addie's wedding

    2017Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam leafing through the newly published Obama photo book by Pete Souza.

    21 Jan 2017Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Back home after the Boston's Women's March (where Na'ama spent the day in the hospital emergency room) sharing a laugh with her loving husband.

    21 Jan 2017Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam doing what Sam does best, flipping through the family photo books admiring his brood.

    22 Jan 2017

    Aliza Ansell Sam holding court in Waltham

    28 Jan 2017Cambridge, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam smiling while Na'ama orders his dinner. He had an opinion once, but got over it. ;-)

    2 Apr 2017Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Dad at Passover!

    13 May 2017

    Aliza Ansell Sam and Na'ama at Marriott with David, Rick and Mikie

    24 May 2017Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam and Leya sharing a moment at his 95th birthday.

    24 May 2017Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam's birthday!

    25 May 2017Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam looking at his 95th birthday present.

    25 May 2017

    Gideon Ansell A poster we created for Sam's 95th birthday featuring his favorite comic character Krazy Kat

    Gideon A. Sam loved many comic artists... but his favorites were George Herriman (Krazy Kat), Walt Kelly (Pogo) and Crockett Johnson (Barnaby ). Diff...
    3 Jun 2017Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam happiness with his two granddaughters, Leya and Addie!

    3 Jun 2017Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam and Addie viewing Sam's present

    3 Jun 2017Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam blowing out the candles on his cake. Addie and Leya watching on.

    3 Jun 2017Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam viewing his birthday present with Gid, Addie, Leya and Ivan

    3 Jun 2017Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam's Birthday Present

    3 Jun 2017Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam, good job blowing out those candles!

    26 Aug 2017Lenox, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam and Na'ama in Tanglewood where they first met!

    26 Aug 2017Lenox, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Gid and Sam at Tanglewood!

    26 Aug 2017Northampton, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam and David Chura at the Marriott!

    26 Aug 2017Lenox, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam and Na'ama at Tanglewood

    9 Sep 2017Brewster, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam, Na'ama, Seth and Ric at Addie and Ash;ey's wedding

    9 Sep 2017Brewster, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam and Gid at Addie and Ashley's wedding!

    10 Sep 2017MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam and Na'ama at seaside clam shack on the Cape following Addie and Ashley's wedding.

    10 Sep 2017Yarmouth, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam and Na'ama at Edward Gorey House.

    10 Nov 2018Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Amos, Mikie, Zizi, Ric, Na'ama and Sam

    2019Waltham, MA, United States

    Na'ama Ansell A lot of Ansells and one Mallon

    2019Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Yael, Sam and Na'ama sharing a laugh.

    2019

    Gideon Ansell Surrounded by 3 of his favorite young people, Leya, Addie, and Ashley.

    25 May 2019Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam's 97th birthday party!

    26 May 2019Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam celebrating his 97th birthday party with Gid, Ivan Seth, Addie, Ashley, Zizi, and of course, Na'ama (the one who cooked the yummy meal)

    16 Jun 2019Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam's 99th birthday party. Put on your hats kids.....

    16 Jun 2019Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell The boys: Sam, Gid and Ric

    7 Jul 2019Cambridge, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam and Evelyn

    14 Jul 2019Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam and Na'ama taking in a show (The Sound of Music) with their grandchildren (and grand-daughter-in-law) at the Regal Theater in Waltham

    Sep 2019Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam and Na'ama holding hands at the dinner table.

    2020

    Gideon Ansell Love birds

    2021Waltham, MA, United States

    Gideon Ansell Sam relaxing at home in his favorite chair...accompanied by Gideon. He spent so many hours here reading everything he could get his hands on.

    A long and lovely relationship on both sides of the Atlantic, a bit in Umbria and a bit in Massachusetts . Sam and I played Scrabble and drank Martinis, Na'ama and I cooked. Fond memories, to hold and share. Ciao, Sam.

    Catherine Stone2021

    From Susan Coppock I got to know Sam and Na'ama about 10 years ago in an Italian group that we were all in together. After doing our Italian reading, we would have dessert and coffee, sometimes lunch, and have great discussions in English. I was always struck by Sam's wonderful sense of humor and his lively mind. He was great fun to be with and t...

    Gideon Ansell2021

    One of the BOLLI faces I most enjoyed seeing enter a room, Sam's warmth and humor was evident at every turn--and, of course, in his wonderful cartoons! I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to spend a little time with him and with his best friend and greatest love, the inimitable Na'ama.

    Sue Wurster2021

    From Yael Lubin: My memories of Sam go way back. When Sam and Na’ama were married, I was just a kid, 6 or7 years-old. Sam, who was then called Sam’l, read me stories, took me to see the ballet “The Love of Three Oranges” (his idea) and birdwatching in Flushing Meadows, NY (my idea). There’s a long break in the story because I moved to Israel. One ...

    Gideon Ansell2021

    Sam became an inspiring part of my life in the '80s when I had the good fortune to meet Gideon and share an apartment with him in Newton. As a transplanted midwesterner far from family and friends, the Ansells became something of a second family for me. Sam and Na'ama welcomed me into their beautiful Wayland home for many delicious meals, captiva...

    Greg Levendusky2021
    13 May 2021Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam's new haircut! Dashing fellow

    24 May 2021Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Sam's 99th birthday party cake!

    25 May 2021Waltham, MA, United States

    Na'ama Ansell 99th Birthday!

    6 Jul 2021Waltham, MA, United States

    Aliza Ansell Na'ama looking lovingly at Sam! Love birds forever!

    From Evelyn Rosenthal: This is what I wrote for Sam & Na'ama some years ago: Knowing you, Na’ama and Sam, has been (and still is!) one of the greatest pleasures of our lives. Here are some of the reasons why: Singing songs from “Kiss Me Kate” in Graziella’s kitchen before Italian class Sharing books and book-talk (and movies, and Masterpiece The...

    Evelyn Rosenthal15 Aug 2021
    26 Sep 2021

    Na'ama Ansell COVID haircut

    My name is andrew hyde. I happened on Sam Ansell page because Sam graduated high school with Mrs Priscilla (August) Glovsky. I was reading Mrs G obit from 2012, Dec. & the No Hampton -Williston Comm popped-up. I noted that Mr Sam passed recently & preceded to read story& pictures that accompany. The story is great therapy while you think of paralle...

    Andy Hyde28 Nov 2021

    Sam's passing is mentioned in The Daily Cartooinst website. http://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2021/08/27/sam-ansell-rip/

    Gideon Ansell2 Jan 2022

    Hello Gideon and anyone else who may read this! Sam was Best Man at my parents' wedding, and he and Na'ama were close to them from Newton to Rye to Gubbio. My parents, Bert and Jacquie Harmon, passed away in 2013 in FL where they'd relocated in retirement. We used to visit you in Rye in the '50s - it was an exotic trip by car from Newton to your ...

    jonathan harmon2 Mar 2022

    Hello. My name is Bobby Hyde. I was at Google one day searching Mrs Priscilla Glovsky. When I got Mrs G. hometown, the high school friends were noted. The Glovsky Family were close friends with the Hyde Family 30 years. However, I know Mr Sam Ansell from the biography of the family. I enjoyed all the stories and meeting a high school friend of Mrs...

    Andy Hyde26 May 2022

    Na'ama Ansell

    Na'ama Ansell

    Na'ama Ansell

    Na'ama Ansell

    Na'ama Ansell