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

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Miami Beach Commissioner Mark Samuelian, a private financial investor who was elected in 2017 and re-elected in 2021, died on Wednesday. He was 58.

His partner, Laura Dominguez, described him on Facebook as “a man of principle, integrity, and character” and a “true gentleman” who “treated everyone with respect.” Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said in a statement he was 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 wrote.

Samuelian, who lived in Venetian Isles, was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He earned an engineering degree while graduating cum laude from Georgia Tech and a master of business administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Samuelian purchased his Miami Beach home in 2003. He was a national chess master and often sponsored scholastic chess in Miami Beach. City Manager Alina Hudak described him as a “great champion” whose mission was to “help residents day in and day out.”

Samuelian was the former president of Miami Beach United, a nonprofit organization that focused on ways to improve the city’s quality of life.

Miami Beach Commissioner Alex Fernandez tweeted, “Samuelian was a wonderful human being, a true gentleman, and the personification of honorable public service. The city will sorely miss his passion - and I will miss my dear friend.”

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 was an advisory board member of the World Affairs Council of Miami.

“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.

Gelber ordered flags at half-mast in Samuelian’s honor. Officials did not disclose the cause of death.

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