Obituary for Mr. Samuel "Sam" Joseph De Paulo
It is with great sadness that we announce, Mr Samuel Joseph De Paulo, age 62 years passed away peacefully on Saturday February 13, 2021 at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre with his family by his side after a heroic battle with cancer.
Sam was lovingly nicknamed “Samabama” by his closest friends and family.
Born March 31, 1958 at St. Joseph's Hospital, he lived in Thunder Bay, Ontario all his life.
Sam worked at Provincial Papers/ Cascades for 30 years as a lead hand until the mill closed down in 2006. After this time, Sam worked as a security guard over a 6 year period for Apex and Thunder Bay Security. He moved on to St. Joseph's Care Group as a switch board operator at Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital until it shut down, retiring in June 2017.
Sam loved hockey and played defense for the Carrick hockey team in his younger years and was a devoted Philadelphia Flyers fan. He had a passion for football and enjoyed Super bowl Sunday every year with his favorite team being the Pittsburgh Steelers. His most favorite destination was Jamaica which he traveled to with friends and spent time walking the beaches and watching sunsets.
Sam was a quiet gentle soul who showed respect, never judged and had genuine concern for others. It was not unusual to find him sitting outside his home during the summer listening to his 80's music and having a cold beer. He was the neighborhood watch and many friends would come join him for interesting conversations. He had a great sense of humour and his
belly laugh was contagious. He could always make you smile.
Sam loved his family and enjoyed coming for visits, family dinners and holiday celebrations. He would usually be armed with an assortment of fireworks for all to enjoy. Even though he did not have children of his own, he loved his nieces and nephews as his own. Sam was good to all of them and enjoyed the company of each and every one of them in his own special way. In the last few years he also displayed his master chess playing abilities with all of us and was very hard to beat. Sam was loved and will truly be missed by all those who had been blessed to know him.
Sam is survived by his sister, Vicky Makela (Harry), brother Joseph De Paulo (Kathy), nieces, Jennifer Anderson (Roscoe Ahola), Lisa Makela (Matt Jamieson), Madeline De Paulo, Emma Anderson and nephews Joey DePaulo and Carter Anderson. Sam is also survived by numerous other family and friends.
He was predeceased by his father Joseph Samuel De Paulo in 1978 and his mother Barbara Jean De Paulo in 2016.
Rest peacefully Sam. You are safe in Heaven with the Lord, Mom and Dad now. Until we meet again.
A Special Thank you to Dr. O. Prowse and Dr. Hagerty, for their care and support over the years. A very special thanks to Kathleen Moore who went above and beyond to make sure Sam received excellent in-home nursing care during his illness and to all his family and neighbours who helped him in every way possible to make his life easier, more enjoyable and comfortable throughout his illness. He would quite often say “ I can't thank you enough for all you do for me”.
A celebration of Sam's life will be held later this spring at his sister and brother -in law's for a big bonfire, beef on a bun and fireworks once Covid restrictions are lifted. Date and time to be determined at a later date.
Interment to take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens thereafter for the family.
Donations in Sam's honour to the War Amps would be greatly appreciated.
Arrangements have been entrusted to EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley Street at Algoma.
Due to the travel restrictions of COVID the family is postponing a gathering until it is safe for all of us to come together.
Please sign the online condolences at everestofthunderbay.com
Sam was lovingly nicknamed “Samabama” by his closest friends and family.
Born March 31, 1958 at St. Joseph's Hospital, he lived in Thunder Bay, Ontario all his life.
Sam worked at Provincial Papers/ Cascades for 30 years as a lead hand until the mill closed down in 2006. After this time, Sam worked as a security guard over a 6 year period for Apex and Thunder Bay Security. He moved on to St. Joseph's Care Group as a switch board operator at Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital until it shut down, retiring in June 2017.
Sam loved hockey and played defense for the Carrick hockey team in his younger years and was a devoted Philadelphia Flyers fan. He had a passion for football and enjoyed Super bowl Sunday every year with his favorite team being the Pittsburgh Steelers. His most favorite destination was Jamaica which he traveled to with friends and spent time walking the beaches and watching sunsets.
Sam was a quiet gentle soul who showed respect, never judged and had genuine concern for others. It was not unusual to find him sitting outside his home during the summer listening to his 80's music and having a cold beer. He was the neighborhood watch and many friends would come join him for interesting conversations. He had a great sense of humour and his
belly laugh was contagious. He could always make you smile.
Sam loved his family and enjoyed coming for visits, family dinners and holiday celebrations. He would usually be armed with an assortment of fireworks for all to enjoy. Even though he did not have children of his own, he loved his nieces and nephews as his own. Sam was good to all of them and enjoyed the company of each and every one of them in his own special way. In the last few years he also displayed his master chess playing abilities with all of us and was very hard to beat. Sam was loved and will truly be missed by all those who had been blessed to know him.
Sam is survived by his sister, Vicky Makela (Harry), brother Joseph De Paulo (Kathy), nieces, Jennifer Anderson (Roscoe Ahola), Lisa Makela (Matt Jamieson), Madeline De Paulo, Emma Anderson and nephews Joey DePaulo and Carter Anderson. Sam is also survived by numerous other family and friends.
He was predeceased by his father Joseph Samuel De Paulo in 1978 and his mother Barbara Jean De Paulo in 2016.
Rest peacefully Sam. You are safe in Heaven with the Lord, Mom and Dad now. Until we meet again.
A Special Thank you to Dr. O. Prowse and Dr. Hagerty, for their care and support over the years. A very special thanks to Kathleen Moore who went above and beyond to make sure Sam received excellent in-home nursing care during his illness and to all his family and neighbours who helped him in every way possible to make his life easier, more enjoyable and comfortable throughout his illness. He would quite often say “ I can't thank you enough for all you do for me”.
A celebration of Sam's life will be held later this spring at his sister and brother -in law's for a big bonfire, beef on a bun and fireworks once Covid restrictions are lifted. Date and time to be determined at a later date.
Interment to take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens thereafter for the family.
Donations in Sam's honour to the War Amps would be greatly appreciated.
Arrangements have been entrusted to EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley Street at Algoma.
Due to the travel restrictions of COVID the family is postponing a gathering until it is safe for all of us to come together.
Please sign the online condolences at everestofthunderbay.com