Mark Samuelian, who served as Miami Beach commissioner, dies at 58

Miami Beach Commissioner Mark Samuelian, who was elected in 2017 and re-elected in 2021, died on Wednesday. He was 58.

Samuelian, who lived in Venetian Isles, served as a member of the city’s Finance Committee and he was a chairman of the Land Use and Sustainability Committee. Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber described him as a “superb” colleague.

“Mark always conducted himself with integrity, and in every action, reflected great devotion to our city and its residents. Our city weeps today,” Gelber said in a statement.

Samuelian was born in Boston, Massachusetts and he was a national chess master. He earned an engineering degree from Georgia Tech and a master of business administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Samuelian, the former president of Miami Beach United, often sponsored scholastic chess. City Manager Alina Hudak described him as a “great champion” whose mission was to help residents day in and day out.

“He was one of the most kind, big-hearted public servants – a truly rare and special person we will miss dearly,” Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava wrote on Facebook.

Samuelian was also on the board of directors for the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, the board of governors for the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, and an advisory board member of the World Affairs Council of Miami.

Samuelian is survived by his partner Laura Dominguez. Officials did not disclose the cause of death. Gelber ordered flags at half-mast in his honor.

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