Professional Profile: Samuel Poorvu - 1967

Name: Samuel Poorvu - 1967

Title: Founder

Company: Samuel W. Poorvu

Location: -

Birthplace: Kovno, Lithuania - 1905

The Wall Street Journal refers to Sam Poorvu as “the Post Office King of the United States.” The business community of Greater Boston and in many other sections of the nation know him and respect him as a builder and real estate investor. But, what same prizes most, next to his family, is his good name. “Money? I know it can be lost. But a good reputation – no stock market dip can wipe that out.” Poorvu, a native of Kovno, Lithuani, landed in Boston on Thanksgiving Day in 1923, alone with eight dollars in his pockets, desiring to make his way in the land of opportunity in order to bring his parents and seven other friends to this country. Working as a grocery clerk, he attended school at night and eventually turned to construction. He helped finance the medical education of his sister and brought his father to this country for a visit. All were killed during the Nazi occupation of Lithuania. Over the years, Same has erected Post Office buildings for over 100 communities across the nation, while also developing several shopping centers. His most recent endeavor is a Parcel 2-A in Boston’s urban renewal Government Center. Poorvu is building a five-story, multi-million dollar Post Office/Office building, which is already 100% occupied. Married with one daughter, the Poorvus reside in Newton where Sam enjoys an occasional round of golf when he can take time away from his outside affairs which include being Chairman of the building committee of the Jewish Memorial Hospital and the Board of Trustees of the Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for the Aged. “I remember so well in my days as a brick layer. My first big job was $1300 for widening Kneeland Street and then in 1932 I lost all of my $32,000 savings. A local banker had faith in me and lent me enough money to get started again and in 1934 I received the Brookline Post Office building which started me on my way.”