It has been announced that Standardbred racing official James 'Jim' Samberg passed away on Wednesday, April 29 at the age of 85.
Samberg worked at Batavia Downs and retired as vice president of operations in 1998. His late wife, Barbara, was a daughter of Pat Provenzano, a founding member of Batavia Downs in 1941.
Jim was born in 1935 in Detroit, Michigan, where he attended Precious Blood Catholic School and Catholic Central High School. He went on to graduate from St. Michael's College at the University of Toronto with a degree in Theology and Writing. He taught for a year at his alma mater, Catholic Central High School, and then at Aquinas Institute (English and History).
Jim is survived by his children, Martha Smith, Mark (Jacqueline) McDonald, Margo McDonald and Meghan McDonald (Scott Boone); 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a brother, Carl L. Samberg; a sister, Suzanne (Ronald) Marmol; a sister-in-law, Donna Warner; several nieces and nephews; and Bonnie Jones, a special friend of the family. He was predeceased by his wife, Barbara, and a son, Michael P. McDonald.
A memorial Mass at St. Ann's Home will be scheduled at a later date due to the current COVID-19 situation. Interment at Holy Sepulchre was held privately.
Memorials may be made to the American Kidney Foundation or to the Sisters of Mercy.
To share a memory of Jim, please visit giltnerfuneralhomes.com.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Jim Samberg.
(Harnessracing.com)