Resident of San Lorenzo Max Everett Samsel, a San Lorenzo resident of 56 years, died August 30th 2009 at 89 years of age. He graduated from Oakland High in 1938 and served in the Army Air Corp's 316 TCG in World War II. He graduated from Chico State Teachers College in 1948 and completed a Masters at San Francisco State College in 1957.

Max began teaching at Prescott Jr. High. He then taught Industrial Arts at Castlemont High and then Oakland High until he retired in 1980.

He enjoyed sailing in the 26-foot Thunderbird sailboat he built in his backyard. He was the former Commodore of the Spinnaker Yacht Club in San Leandro. He sang with the Eden Barbershop Chorus for a number of years. He was a gardener, woodworker and handyman. He attended First Church of Christ Scientist, Hayward.

Max is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Thomson Samsel, and his children: son Jason, daughter-in-law Lynn, granddaughter Elaine, of Lincoln, NE; daughter Janet Samsel Brennan, son-in-law John V. Brennan, grand-children Andrew and Josie Brennan, of San Lorenzo; and daughter Gina and grandson Robert V. Cross III, of San Lorenzo and San Francisco.