Wilfred Joseph Samson, age 85, Petit de Grat, passed away very peacefully at Strait Richmond Hospital in the early hours of Sept 20th surrounded by his loving family . Wilfred was born May 26th 1930, son of the late Joseph and Stella (Boudreau) Samson. He is survived by his devoted wife and sweetheart of 63 years, Amelia (Boudreau) Samson and was “Papa” to his three daughters Debbie (Stephen) Bowen, Westville; Lois (David) Burns, Hammonds Plains; and Melissa (Brian) Boudreau, Antigonish. Wilfred was the most adoring and loving Pépé to Tanya, Tennille, Tyson, Michael, Lori, Emma and Ben and tracked their accomplishments with great pride. Recently he became a Grand-Pépé to Gordon, Stella and Amelia, and he enjoyed watching video clips of the little ones and regular visits from them all.
Wilfred grew up in a large family of siblings, and remained closely knit to his only surviving brother Alexander as well as his sisters Mary Helen and Elizabeth. He was predeceased by brothers Dennis, Nicholas, Francis, Vernie, Wayne, as well as his dear sister Priscilla , along with four siblings in infancy.
Wilfred loved carpentry and worked with his friends Eugene and Leo for John Bower Construction for 28 years throughout Richmond, Inverness and Guysborough counties. He was a hard worker, a devoted husband, and a proud and loving father. Wilfred loved and praised his grandchildren and great grandchildren at every opportunity, and he was in his glory when the house was full and the kids were having fun. He was well informed in provincial, national and global news stories and read the newspaper cover to cover every morning. He enjoyed a good game of cards, checkers or crib and provided wonderful family laughs and memories to his grandchildren on board game nights. He loved to drive around his beloved community of Petit de Grat (Isle Madame), watch a ballgame, enjoyed parking at the wharf to chat with local fishermen, and in his retirement, spent hours watching the boats go by in the harbour from his perch at the kitchen window.
Wilfred’s sense of humor and kindness will be sadly missed by his family and friends. Visitation will be held in C. H. Boudreau Funeral Home in Arichat on Monday from 2 - 9 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday morning at 11:00 a.m. in St Joseph's Catholic Church in Petit De Grat with Rev. Callistus Abazie officiating. Burial in the Star of the Sea Cemetery in Petit De Grat. In his memory, donations may be made to one of the following charities whose services have been outstanding in recent months : St Anne Center, Arichat ; Strait Richmond Hospital Palliative Care Society, Evanston, Canadian Red Cross, Antigonish or charity of choice. To send words of comfort to the family or to light a candle in memory of Wilfred please visit www.chboudreau.com