Samphire, David Wayne

SAMPHIRE, wFebruary 13, 1940 – April 16, 2014
at the age of 74 years

Mr. David Wayne Samphire passed away peacefully at Bastion Place in Salmon Arm, at the age of 74, with his wife June at his side.

Dave was a Composing-Room Foreman for the Albertan and later the Calgary Sun, retiring to Blind Bay B.C. in 1995.

He was an avid sports fan playing hockey and soft ball but his love was curling. He skipped a team for the media league in Calgary for many years.

He took joy in the wonders that the Shuswap and BlindBay had to offer, loving the outdoors. Dave enjoyed camping, carpentry, the birds, gardening, walking, campfires, and quiet moments at the lake. He was creative and handy around the house.

Visits from family and friends brought him happiness. The coffee was always on at Dave’s place. He loved to laugh, enjoyed a good joke and had a friendly smile for everyone.

The past 20 years he faced many health challenges, with a positive attitude and a great sense of humour, never feeling sorry for himself.

He is survived by his wife June of 55 years, 3 daughters, Sandra (Brad) Baillod, Laurie (Ray) Meaney, Jodi-Lyn (Gord) Vass. Dave was very proud of his grandson Jamie Meaney and great-granddaughter Kaylee Meaney. Also survived by his brother Bob (Helen), his sister Barbara Andreychuk and many wonderful nieces, nephews and cousins.  Predeceased by parents Vi and Les Samphire, sister and brother-in-law Maxine and Dave Osborne, brother-in-law Bill Andreychuk.

Dave was loved very much and will be missed dearly.

A very special thanks to the caring and compassionate nurses, care aids and staff at Bastion Place, Special Care Unit.  Along with Dave’s loving and dedicated wife, they truly were his angels. Thanks also to Dr. Breugem and Dr. Gow.

A get together of family and close friends will be held at a later date in Calgary.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Bastion Place, 2nd Floor, Special Care, 700 – 11th St., N.E., Salmon Arm, B.C., V1E 2S5.

 

 

14 Comments

  1. My name is Laurie Hawke. I live in Australia. I used to reside in Calgary. I saw an advertisement in the Albertan, just after the Montreal Olympics which I attended. I eventually travelled west and arrived in Calgary. The weather was becoming cold so I decided to stop in Calgary until Spring arrived.
    I saw an advertisement seeking Compositors at The Albertan. As I was a qualified compositor, I got in touch with the
    newspaper and thus met David. I told him I had no qualification papers with me so he said I will put you on for a week and see if you know what you are doing. So I commenced at the paper and enjoyed the experience very much.
    I eventually moved on to Vancouver and remember with much fondness my experience at The Albertan.
    Ironically I eventually joined the Royal Australian Air Force and spent 28 years of an exciting career. I was an Advanced Avionics Technician employed on Fighter aircraft (F/A 18a) Hornet and Dassault Mirage.
    Retired in 2012 and reside in Perth, Western Australia. I went to the Gulf war which was an experience.
    I am married now, my wife is Colombian born. She is an optometrist. We have travelled a lot and spent five months in Spain where my in-laws reside now.
    So thanks to David for his kindness and the oportunity he gave me. I always recall his faith in me and kindness while I was in Calgary.
    My condolences to all the family and I trust the passage of time will heal your loss.

    Yours sincerely,
    Laurence W. Hawke

  2. Our thoughts and prayers are with you through your time of sorrow in the loss of your loved one. Please be thankful that he is no longer suffering in pain but is now resting in peace.

  3. My dearest Dave…I am missing you so much, I am trying to remember all the good times and the fun and the laughs , and the fights and the picnics in the snow, and every aspect of our 55 years together…you gave me so much during that time…we have 3 beautiful daughters, 3 wonderful sons in law, 1 loved grandson and a beautiful great granddaughter, who all mourn and grieve for you but who will heal in time. You were my life but I know that you would not of wanted a big fuss made or the grieving process to go on and on. I will try and honour that by taking it one day at a time but I shall never forget you. I truly hope that in your last hours that you understood how much we all loved you and that I was able to assure you of that. I held your hand as you closed your eyes and went on the next journey in your life, we will be together once again, until then, I will love you forever and always…June

  4. To Mom, Laurie, Ray, Jamie, Kaylee, Jodi, Gord, Uncle Bob, Auntie Barbara, all our cousins, relatives and friends……….This has been a tough time. My deepest sympathy goes out to all. He was my “Dear Old Dad”, I loved him, and he will be missed. We had lots of fun and laughs over the years, and many more to come, as we heal and remember him. Thanks for all your kind words and support.

    Love Sandra and Brad

    Love Sandra and Brad

  5. My Deepest Sympathy goes out to all of you at this very sad time. Take comfort in knowing that he is now resting not suffering. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

  6. June, Laurie, Sandra and Jodi…….Colin, Cheryl and I were very saddened to hear of David’s passing. We are remembering all the fun times of years gone by……the campfires down by the lake, the sing-along’s with Brad on guitar…..Dave was very special and will never be forgotten. We send our love to you all.

  7. It was a great pleasure living beside Dave and June for 11 years. I miss the coffee breaks Dave and I used to have. We had many discussions and solved a lot of world problems. I loved his laugh especially when he heard a dirty joke, He could tell a few of them also. June, Sandra, Laurie and Jodi you all are in our thoughts and prayers.

  8. So very sorry to hear of your families loss

  9. I will always remember Dave s laugh and sense of humor! He always had a smile on his face. He loved to tell jokes and make people laugh, even when someone was unhappy or had a bad day. I will surely miss him. But, now he is at peace and isn’t suffering anymore. I will always cherish the memories forever . I’m happy to have met him(at the age of 10) and June , Jodi and Sandra throughout the years! May God bless Dave .
    Love
    Cheryl Castle

  10. So very sorry to hear of this news prayers and love going out to all of the family.
    Darcie&Barry Smith

  11. Uncle Dave is free from suffering, and will be remembered with love, with tears, and with humour. My deepest sympathy to Auntie June, Sandra, Laurie, and Jodi. <3

  12. We are surprised and saddened by the news. I have lots of good memories , mostly of Uncle David laughing at his or someone else’s joke. He will be missed by all of us. Please know we are thinking of you at this time and send are deepest condolences.

  13. Thank you, Laurie.
    Very well stated and I echo the sentiment..
    Jodi
    xoxoxoxo

  14. Mom, Sandra and Jodi
    Please join me in remembering all the fun times.
    The “KEEP IT DOWN IN THERE” The hooting (Mom) and laughter (All of us)
    I will lay on the kitchen floor with all of you any time.
    Through our sadness, I am reminded of our strengths.
    With Love and respect for all of you!
    Laurie
    xoxox

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