Sami Repishti: A life of courage, intellect, and service

Dec 2, 2024 - Dr. Sami Repishti, a distinguished scholar, historian, and tireless advocate for Albanian freedom, passed away on November 27 at the age of 99. Born in Shkodra, Albania, in 1925, his extraordinary life spanned decades of struggle, achievement, and devotion to justice.

Repishti survived ten grueling years in a communist prison, accused of “agitation and propaganda against the state.” After his release, he fled to Yugoslavia and eventually settled in the United States, where he built a remarkable life with his wife Diana, a woman from Gjirokastrita, and their family.

An academic of international renown, he earned degrees from the Sorbonne and the University of Florence. Over the years, he gained recognition as a professor, historian, and linguist. Yet his passions extended beyond the classroom—he became a leading voice in the fight against communism in Albania and for Kosova’s freedom from Serbian repression. His relentless efforts were honored in 2000 when the U.S. Congress recognized his life’s work.

Repishti was also a co-founder of the National Albanian American Council, which established the first Washington-based lobbying office for Albanian Americans. He played a pivotal role on the board of the Kosova Relief Fund, providing support during the 1999 war to help alleviate suffering.

Despite the horrors he endured, Repishti was known for his sharp wit and sense of humor, qualities that endeared him to those who worked with him. Beneath his intellectual stature lay a deeply human warmth that resonated with all who knew him.

Sami Repishti will be laid to rest on Monday at Ferncliff Cemetery in New York. He leaves behind a legacy of courage, compassion, and an unwavering dedication to justice.