Rev. Dr. Aaron B. Samuels, Sr., was born in Camden, SC, on October 24, to the late Deacon Burney Samuel, Sr. and wife Mrs. Corrie Bell Samuel, and passed on Thursday (January 3, 2002). A brother and sister, Moses and Mattie Samuel, predeceased him. He has a host of loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. Dr. Samuels graduated Camden High School in South Carolina. He earned his B.S. Degree in Social Studies and Social Work from Benedict College in Columbia, SC in 1962. He graduated from University of Bridgeport, majoring in Social Work. He also received his Masters from the University of Connecticut. He completed the Yale UniversityDrug Dependency Institute. He received his Doctor of Divinity Degree from the Martha's Vineyard Theological Seminary. Dr. Aaron Samuels preached a trial sermon and was licensed by East End Baptist Church in Bridgeport during 1964. He was called to pastor by the New Hope Baptist Church. He served as pastor of New Hope for 32 years, retiring in June 2001. He was on staff as an instructor, at the Connecticut Institute of Christian Religion in Bridgeport since 1985. He retired from the State of Connecticut after 25 years in 1991. He served numerous positions as a social worker and case worker. He was awarded a certificate of appreciation for supervision and education of Social Work Students from Southern Connecticut State University School of Social Work. He has shared his knowledge of Social Work with colleges for one year intervals at Western Connecticut State University, Mattituck Community College, and Southern Connecticut State University. Some of his affiliations were: He was the former treasurer for eight years, vice president for four years and was the immediate past president, 1995-1999, of the Connecticut State Missionary Baptist Convention; Board of Directors, United Way; Board of Directors, Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging, Inc.; and Board of Directors, Datahr. His religious travels led him to visit Israel several years ago.