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, 1942 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.
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Allen Huckabay says
August 5, 2022 at 7:22 pmWe were saddened to hear of Barry’s passing. We so enjoyed his laughter and hard work that he put in here at the Dryden Food Bank. No cold winter day would stop him from coming and caring for the clients that we served.
He will be missed. Thank you for sharing your husband, father and grandfather with us.
Kevin Queen says
August 5, 2022 at 7:39 pmI am very saddened to hear the news of Barry’s passing. I have had the opportunity to work with Barry for many years with Barry being one of the board members of the District of Kenora Home for the Aged. He served the district faithfully and with distinction. I valued his insight, calmness, caring and most importantly, his friendship. He will be missed.
Shauna Case (nee Taylor) says
August 5, 2022 at 8:36 pmI am so sad to hear of Mr. Sampsons passing. He was my absolute favorite teacher all through high school. He was kind and funny and had a way of getting us excited about math. After graduation I had a few great visits with him when I worked at The Standard Insurance. He told me about one of those wonderful trips and brought pictures to show me. He will be missed I’m sure. Hugs to all who are feeling this loss.
Kathy Zilkalns says
August 7, 2022 at 9:00 pmMy deepest sympathy to all the family. Barry was a lovely man who will be missed by many. May you find comfort in the wonderful memories of all the times and adventures you had together.
Karen and Allen Mazurski says
August 5, 2022 at 9:42 pmSo sorry to hear of Barry’s passing. His obituary describes a life well lived. May the support of the community bring comfort to all his family and close friends.
Connie Calvert says
August 5, 2022 at 9:47 pmAs I posted on FB, Barry was such a great guy! Excellent teacher and person. I just saw him
at Mulligan’s , handsome and smiling. Shocked to hear of his passing. He was always positive! Will be sorely missed . Condolences to Thelma and those he left behind. He made the world a better place!
Wendy (Sherwood) Keeler says
August 6, 2022 at 12:50 amThelma and family
I am so sorry to learn of Barry’s passing. What a wonderful life he enjoyed and what contributions he made to many other’s lives. I know he will be greatly missed.
You are in my thoughts.
Greg Wilson says
August 6, 2022 at 4:38 pmWhatever Barry did was with well thought out deliberation, patience and cheerful intent. Though I hardly saw him or talked with him, he was one of those people who made you happy just knowing he was part of our community. His good work did not go unnoticed by so many of us in town. He impressed me with his calm cheerfulness at high school in the ‘70’s, at the ski hill, through his reputation at the DD Home for the Aged etc. I’m so thankful to have bumped into him one day this spring, walking by his house. It gave me a chance to tell him how much I appreciated his character and service to Dryden. His passing is a great loss to the community. Sincere condolences to the family.
Larry Perkins says
August 7, 2022 at 11:13 amMy sincere condolences to the family.
I was lucky enough to get into Mr. Sampson’s math class in high school but having said that, I’m not so sure he had the same luck. He had a way of explaining things that just made sense and the patience of a saint. He would take the time needed one on one until you understood what he was trying to teach. When I look back and think of the people who made a huge difference on my life, he is certainly one. I bumped into him at Rona durning the pandemic and had the opportunity to tell him what a great teacher he was and what a positive influence he had on my life and thanked him. I’m so happy that I did that.
I have spoken to many other class mates over the years that have the same experiences and respect for him.
What a great man and a huge loss.
Larry Perkins
Tannis Ferguson-Jodar says
August 8, 2022 at 2:48 amMy mom and I were so sorry to hear the news. Barry was an amazing teacher. I spent many a lunch hour learning Algebra from him. I also had the privilege to work as his colleague. Great memories. Sending wishes to the entire family. A great loss to the Dryden community.
Tannis Ferguson-Jodar and Bernice Ferguson
linnea humphrey says
August 8, 2022 at 12:13 pmWe are saddened to learn of Mr. Sampson passing. There are lots of memories of him reffing while our Dad provided commentary at DHS football games. I’m sure there were many antics in the male staff room as well. Our condolences – the Humphrey kids
Gordon Humphrey says
August 8, 2022 at 4:21 pmMr. Sampson was a true friend to my family. First as a student of and then a colleague of my father Keith Humphrey. As a student at DHS I had the privilege of being in Mr. Sampson’s grade 13 Trig class. Recently I came upon a photo of my good friend Carlos Raposo myself and Mr. Sampson walking with many others in the annual trek to Aaron park and back, a fundraising walkathon pre dating Terry Fox.
I remember Mr. Sampson as being a good teacher, strong community member but over and above that a true friend to my parents.
Wendy (Stansfield) Black says
August 8, 2022 at 4:52 pmI am so saddened to hear of Barry’s passing. He was a favourite teacher of mine in high school. Hugs to Thelma and all the family. Barry will be missed by the many hearts he touched.
The Delamere family says
August 8, 2022 at 5:31 pmWe were all deeply saddened to hear of Barry’s passing. All of our love to Thelma and the whole Sampson family during their time of loss. We know what an integral part of the community he was and that his loss will be felt by the so many lives he touched. Wish we were closer to be able to attend the celebration of life but please know that you’re in our thoughts.
Linda Cochrane says
August 8, 2022 at 9:02 pmDear Thelma and family, our condolences to you on Barry’s passing. What a wonderful life you have all shared. Barry was a genuinely nice guy who greeted all with a friendly smile and shared his talents with the community. He was loved and will be remembered.
Linda & Vaughan Cochrane
Gimli, MB
Daina (Maslach) Colbourne says
August 9, 2022 at 2:24 amSo sorry for your loss. Mr. Sampson was a great teacher. He will be missed.
Lynn McMillan says
August 10, 2022 at 2:53 pmSo sorry to hear of Mr. Sampson’s passing. he was a wonderful teacher and person. Barry was “that” teacher for me, he made a difference. He took the time and sat me down and gave me a quite a lecture about effort and my potential,. I cruised through school really doing just good enough but out of pure respect he got my best, – I loved math. He really gave me a life lesson, Thankful to have known him.
Linda Addison says
August 25, 2022 at 10:24 pmHe was an inspiring teacher. In the late 1960s he tried to drill math concepts into my teenage skull and I will always remember his kindness and enthusiasm. Condolences to his family.
Fiona Scurrah says
September 21, 2022 at 8:10 pmSo sorry to hear of Barry’s passing. Sending much love and condolences from the Scurrahs.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the DRHC Equipment Fund, First United Church or Dryden Food Bank.
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