Obituary of Daniel Abel Samson

SAMSON, Daniel Abel, Petit de Grat It is with great sadness and broken hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father, pepe, grandpepe, uncle, brother and friend. Daniel “Abel” Samson born August 29th, 1937 passed away peacefully at his home in Petit de Grat on April 22, 2022 at the age of 84 surrounded by his loving family. Abel was the son of the late Johnnie and Mary Elizabeth (Boudreau) Samson. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 150 and the New Horizon’s Seniors Club in Arichat. Abel started his work career as a young lad at the Lord Nelson in Halifax then went on from there to work on the lake boats. In 1970 he decided to go back to school and got his tickets as a high pressure and Mig/tig welder. Right out of school he went to work for Stora Forest Industries where he remained as an employee until his retirement. While working at Stora he was awarded the Gold Hat Award for saving the life of a co-worker. Also during his time at Stora, he had a bottle exchange business and snow plowing company and also a small hardware store. Dad loved to fish especially taking the kids out in the boat to fish with him. He also loved to take visitors out in the boat to show them and teach them about squid jigging, there where many soiled and happy faces after those excursions. He had a love and passion for gardening and loved to share his prize veggies and strawberries with all. Dad was also a great dancer and loved to jive and his toes were always tapping. One of dad’s greatest gifts was his kindness and his love of helping people and his community it gave him great joy seeing the smile on people’s faces. He never wanted anything in return, but he was a big believer in paying it forward and thought a lot of people, especially his children to always do the same. Dad’s biggest joy was his family, he loved to spend time with all and loved family gathering, the more family the better. But one of his greatest joys was to see his children bring new life into the family. That is how he became the greatest Pepe and Grand Pepe ever. He would light up like a candlestick with every moment he spent with them. Abel is survived by his children, Donald (Jackie), Grandique Rd., Emily (Larry) Delorey, West Arichat, Glen (Rose), Cheticamp, Patrick (Rosemary), West Arichat; grandchildren, Patti (Arthur), Jesse (Angie), Shannon, Jamie; step grandchildren, Scott (Danielle), Leonard Harris, Dennis (Becca) Delorey, Shyloe Delorey, Dustin (Harley) Delorey; great grandchildren Anastasia, William, Callie and Finley. Abel is also survived by his sisters Jacqueline Marchand, Viola Perry, both of Port Hawkesbury, Laura (Cletus) Samson, Vancouver; sister-in-laws Sylvia Samson, D’Escousse, Marg (Dave) Langlois, Diane (Allan) Hanratty, both of Sydney; brother-in-laws Burt Cole, Ontario, Tom Cole, Sydney, Gordon (Carol) Cole, Ontario, Gary Cole, N.B., Paul Cole, Ontario and so many nieces and nephews. Abel will also be missed by 3 boys who became like extra sons to him, Wayne (Laurie-ann) Sampson, West Arichat, Daniel (Lor) Arsenault, Petit de Grat and his little ucker Barry (Bonnie) Perry, Arichat. Besides his parents he was predeceased by his loving wife Marilyn (Cole) Samson; son in infancy; inlaws Donald and Emily Cole; sisters Blandine (Amadee) David, Delta (Anthony) Fraser, Kathleen (Leo) Samson; brother Anthony Samson; sister in laws Emma Cole, Rose Cole, Marie Cole, Debbie Cole; brother in laws Donald Jr. (Elizabeth) Cole, Jerry Cole, Cornelius Marchand and Don Perry. One of his biggest passions was dancing and he will be sadly missed by his friend and dancing partner Juilette (Pumpkin) DeYoung. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, April 26th at C. H. Boudreau Funeral Home Ltd, Arichat from 6-8pm. Funeral mass to celebrate the life of Abel will be held on Wednesday, April 27th, at 11:00am in St. Joseph’s Church, Petit de Grat with Rev. John DeCoste officiating. Private family burial will take place at a later date. It is requested that face masks be worn for the visitation and funeral mass. Memorial donations can be made to the Strait Richmond Palliative Care Society, St. Anne’s Centre or to the Star of the Sea Cemetery. The family would like to send a great big thank you to Dr. Scott MacNeil, Palliative Care, Dr. Cooper, Kyla, Sara and all the field nurses, Strait Richmond, St. Martha’s Hospital and support staff. We also would like to thank the VON home care workers who went above and beyond to help our family especially Ashley, Connie (giggles), Jessica, Fallen, Kayla, Meg, Lisa B., Lisa T., Yvonne, Hatti, Lorena, Felicia, Susan, there is just to many to mention you all. You all kept the twinkle in his eye, laughter in his voice, song in his heart and tap in his toes. You ladies rock and are our angels. A very special thank you to Cheryl MacLean, our care coordinator for all your help and kindness. Your commitment to dad will always be in our hearts. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to C.H. Boudreau Funeral Home Ltd., Arichat. And in closing dad wanted his obituary to end with his favourite words. “Always be kind to others, keep the peace and God bless”.