Barry Sampson
June 14, 1940 – August 2, 2022
With great sadness the family of Barry Sampson announces his passing on August 2, 2022 after a short illness.
Barry Gordon Sampson was born on June 14, 1940 to Gordon and Ina Sampson on the family farm in Glenboro, Manitoba. In 1946, the family left the farm and moved to Dryden so Barry and his sister Maxine would have better access to schools. He attended Albert Street School, the old Dryden High School and the University of Manitoba for a science and education degree, then continued to teach for 33 years at Dryden District High School. His mother said once Barry started school he never left!
The early years in Dryden were full of friends, family, relatives, a paper route and his dog Pal. In grade 10 he contracted rheumatic fever and was in bed for 5 months. When he recovered, he had grown a lot taller and went on to play basketball on the school team. His younger sister Terrie was born in 1958, the year he was leaving for university.
It was when he was in Winnipeg he met Thelma Davies, a nursing student at Misericordia Hospital. After they both graduated they were married in Flin Flon in 1964.
The move back to Dryden in 1965 was supposedly only for 1 year but 57 years later we are still here. Barry retired in 1998 after 33 years as a math teacher and a math and science head.
Family life started with Paula’s birth in 1969, followed by Stephen in 1970. The family had moved to 173 Earl by this time and after many renovations, the family residence is enjoyed to this day.
There are many good memories of Dryden over the years. Barry attended all of the kids’ activities and coached several. Skiing was a favorite for the family; Barry was president of the Dryden Ski Club and instrumental in initiating the Nancy Greene Ski Race program. Sunshine Village in Banff was a favorite ski resort that they enjoyed for many years, with other families and friends.
Barry was a Kinsman and K40 member, a member of the United church, the property committee, mens club, and a member of the PREVALABIT investment club. He coached and refereed at the high school receiving the Olympic medal for volunteering in 1988 for refereeing. He was also on the committees to bring about the building of the present pool and recreation center. Barry enjoyed doing MC duties for all the Athletic Banquets and Music Performances at DHS as well as reading his entertaining morning announcements.
In 1978 Barry and Thelma bought a lot on Eagle Lake and cottage life began. From propane to hydro and a biffy to indoor plumbing, every summer until the present has been spent there. Paula was 9 and Stephen was 8 and the other three couples residing there – the Dingwalls, Delongs and Johnston’s – became a second family. There were many gatherings of family friends, relatives and the kids’ friends over the years continuing until last month when Barry cooked up hamburgers for the Muse Group.
When Paula and Stephen went off to university, Barry and Thelma enjoyed two extended travel adventures. The first for 8 months in Europe (before the EU and euros) and the second to Australia and New Zealand for 5 months. After Stephen’s graduation from Brandon U, they returned home that Christmas for his marriage to Jan Tosh then off to Europe for another 5 months. Paula graduated from Western U, teaches in Brantford and married Tom Sitak in 1997.
When the grandkids came along, Barry enjoyed all of their activities. The many trips to Southern Ontario were all enjoyed. Jack, Kate, Erica and Ashleigh were the extra great special people in his life. Jack’s baseball and hockey, Kate’s volleyball and skating, Erica’s soccer and Ashleigh’s acrobatics were all attended many times and enjoyed. He very much enjoyed the family trips to Florida, Great Wolf Lodge, Roatan and Mexico, with them.
Once retirement started, Barry and Thelma traveled the world. Five trips to Europe with the travel group – Johnston’s, Tosh’s, Hannah’s – and many travels to exotic lands with Adventures Abroad – China, Central America, India, Croatia and Myanmar, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The cruising in later years around South America and Japan were also highlights, and Portugal, Spain and Hawaii became their winter stays.
Barry contributed to his community in later years doing Meals on Wheels, the Food Bank, and the Cupcake Birthdays at Princess Court. He also sat on the board of the Kenora District Home for the Aged for many years.
Barry lived a busy, useful and happy life. He was a great husband, father, grandfather and a friend to many. He loved life and he loved people. We will miss him forever.
Predeceased by his parents Ina and Gordon Sampson, sister Maxine Hamilton, parents-in-law Jenny and Donald Davies. He will be remembered forever by his wife of 58 years Thelma, daughter Paula (Tom), Jack and Kate Sitak; son Stephen (Jan), Erica and Ashleigh Sampson; sister Terrie (Luc), Shaun and Erin Capovilla; brother-in-law Neil Hamilton, Patty (Darcy), Mason and Laura Spalding; Susan (Todd), Rachel and Charlie Launder; brother-in-law Garry (Joanne), Jennifer Davies and Natasha (Paul), Bethany and Addy Taylor.
Travel on until we meet again.
Thank you to our family, friends, and neighbors for your caring thoughts and support.
Thank you also to Dr. Bester and Dr. Doiron for your care and kindness, and thank you to the great group of nurses who looked after Barry, you are an exceptional team.
There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place.
A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, August 8, 2022 at 11 a.m. at the First United Church with Alice Bloomfield officiating.
A Private Interment will have taken place.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the DRHC Equipment Fund, First United Church or Dryden Food Bank.
Condolences may be posted at www.dcfh.ca
