Obituary of Joseph Anthony Sampson

It is with profound sadness that we say farewell to a cherished husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Tony died at the Q.E.II Hospital in Halifax on Saturday, July 29, 2023.

Tony was born on June 24, 1928 in Louisdale, Richmond County, Cape Breton to the late James “Jimmy” Godfrey and Ida Mae (Samson) Sampson. It was in the context of Acadian culture that Tony grew up to value life-long connections to his family and friends, a reverence for the land and sea, resilience borne out of a people who have known hardship and where he learned that anything worth doing is worth doing well.

Tony worked at the Victoria General Hospital Dietary Department for forty-two years starting as a Cook’s Helper and working his way up to the position of Head Chef; a position he occupied up to the time of his retirement.

The outdoors was Tony’s favourite place to be. He would hike in the woods almost daily and looked forward to hunting in the Fall and trout fishing in the Spring. Never one to be idle he spent countless hours making Christmas ornaments, garden benches and fences out of saplings and scrap wood. He would plant a vegetable garden every year and always had more tomato plants than anything else; even planted among Shirley’s flowers.

Tony and Shirley spent summers at their trailer on campgrounds in various parts of Nova Scotia for more than forty years. Tony enjoyed barbeques, dances, campfires and a “kitchen party” style of musical entertainment in the evenings. His favourite activity was competing in horseshoe and washer -toss games. He was an accomplished player and won countless tournament trophies.

Tony is survived by his wife, the former Shirley Mitchell; daughter, Donna; son, Stephen (Kendrick); daughter-of-the-heart, Robin Deveau; daughter-in-law, Eileen Brennan; granddaughters, Erin (Justin), Melissa (Mike)’ great-grandchildren, Cameron, Logan, Hannah; sister, Zelia (Ernie) Aucoin and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his son, Robert; siblings, Tommy, Leonard, Melvina, Theresa; son-in-law, Ron.

We wish to extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Koller and Dr. Bowers for their unwavering commitment to person-centred support and their consistent demonstration of the utmost regard and respect for Tony. We also wish to acknowledge the nursing staff on 9-Lane who supported Tony and express our appreciation for their compassion and ability to connect with him as a person first, and a patient second.

Cremation has taken place under the care of the J. Albert Walker Funeral Home (2005) Limited, 149 Herring Cove Road, Halifax, NS B3P 1K6.

Interment will occur at a later date.

Words of comfort may be sent by clicking on “Tribute Wall”.

“Hard working hands…at rest”