Shmuel was born on Shavuot eve 1933 in Jerusalem, to Chaya and Yaacov, sixth generation Jerusalemite. His father was from a family of dairy owners and producers. His mother – a Shneorson descendant – was a housewife.
Shmulik was the fourth child in an Orthodox family of ten. His Orthodox father, was unsympathetic to Zionism, yet despite their religious upbringing, three of his children joined Etzel/Lehi. Shmuel studied in ‘Heder’, then at “Tachkemoni” School Jerusalem, and ‘Kfar Ivri’ boarding school. During childhood his family moved from Me’a- She’arim to Beit-Ysrael, later to Fischel St Jerusalem.
Shmuel left the religious community, shaving his sidelocks and removing his Kippa. He joined Lehi 1947, put up info-bulletins, but was caught and imprisoned two weeks. He later joined the help unit of Kibbutz Neveh-Yair, staying until its dismantlement. He worked wherever needed, including guarding and patrolling in an armoured tractor. After this he enlisted in the IDF, serving as a Nachal Infantry fighter. After discharge he worked in Tnuva, driving and marketing. In 1959 Shmulik married Miryam Garchi. Establishing their household in Jerusalem, they had five children. Educating his children was his top priority. During his reservist duty he participated in convoys to Mt Scopus.
He fought in the Six Day War at Notre-Dame Monastery Jerusalem, and in the Yom Kippur War at the southern front. He lay in ambushes at the northern border, and served in the Home Security HQ Crew in Jerusalem. Shmulik resided in Mevaseret-Zion from 1986, and lived to see ten of his grandchildren. In 1977 he retired, dedicating himself to family, trips, studies, and being an active grandparent. He was full of joy and humour, loved singing and assisting the needy.
He donated to different foundations supporting the handicapped and the disabled. On May 25,1999, three days after his 66th birthday, he passed away suddenly in his sleep, leaving family and friends hurting. He was buried at the Givat-Shaul (Har-Tamir) Cemetery, Jerusalem. Upon his tombstone was inscribed: “Where can men such as this be found, Shmuel Danenberg, a pure and honest man, of charity and Grace”.