Obituary of Brian Joseph Samson

Obituary

SAMSON, Captain Brian Joseph, B Eng, West Arichat

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Brian Joseph Samson, 54 of West Arichat, which occurred while fishing off the waters of Northern NL on May 27, 2018. Born in Arichat on June 15, 1963, he was the son of the late Jean Francois and Sophie Marie (Girroir) Samson. Brian is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Alice Jean (Forgeron) Samson; daughters, Kayla Samson, Calgary, Simone Samson, West Arichat; son, Jacques Samson, West Arichat; sisters, Cynthia (Gary) Landry, Petit de Grat, Paulette (Clifford) Boudreau, Angela (Michael) Boudreau, Lisa (Brian) Boudreau, all of Arichat, Lois (Kevin) Young, New Hampshire. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Florence Forgeron, Port Royal, sister-in-law Sara (Paul) Thibeau, Arichat; brother-in-law Ralph Forgeron, Port Royal and Dennis DeCoste, West Arichat; several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Brian was predeceased by his nephew Chad Young and his sister-in-law Ann DeCoste.

Brian was a large man with an even larger heart. He loved his family with every inch of his being. He was immensely proud of his three children, Kayla, Simone and Jacques and felt secure and loved by his devoted wife Alice.

He was always interested in those around him particularly his neighbors, his family, his friends but also including complete strangers on his many excursions. He made time for visits. He was genuinely interested in their lives and their news.

 He held a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University of Nova Scotia (Dalhousie University) but rarely spoke of the fact. However, in March of this year, he and son Jacques attained their mariner papers and the title of ‘Captain’ of which he was immensely proud. Brian was happiest on the water. He loved his boats and christened them with the names of family and community; ‘The Marie Sophia Daniel’, ‘The Miss Sophie’, ‘Le Petit Jean’, and ‘The Miss PDG’. He would invite anyone aboard for a sail and loved to cook aboard and share meals he prepared.

Generous with his time, whether in open arguments over any subject or giving one on one heartfelt advice on deep topics, he did not shy away or miss an opportunity.

He had a sharp mind, was a mathematical genius and loved history, geography and genealogy. This made family trips “interesting” with his constant need to learn, which required occupants of the car to miss beautiful scenery while googling pertinent facts on all aspects of towns, mountains, lakes, economies and any other litany of facts to satisfy his insatiable appetite for learning.

Brian gave up his opportunity as an engineer to join his father, John, and partner Edgar, in the newly formed Premium Seafood Ltd. Encompassing the attributes of a true entrepreneur by nature, he never looked back.

His ‘joi de vivre’, love of life, happy disposition and commitment to finishing what he started, regardless of any obstacle are going to be sorely missed. His stubborn, one tract mindedness (a Girroir trait) served him well to stay focused, ‘get the job done’ and reach his goals.

Brian made friends easily, possessing a wide smile, large laugh and welcoming disposition, which together disarmed even the biggest skeptic. His honest, genuine personality would come shining through.

His employees respected his commitment and devotion to the workplace achieving and maintaining high standards in quality control. He could see the good in people, never judging a book by its cover but rather giving a chance and surrounded himself with a team he could rely on to carry through the work. His generosity was quietly shared with those in need, a man of deep faith; he followed the rules to live a good and balanced life.

He will be missed by all who knew him, will leave a big void, which will be hard to fill. Together, we will continue to honor his memory by focusing on the good and forgiving the rest.

Visitation will be held in C.H. Boudreau Funeral Home, Arichat on Sunday June 3rd from 6-9pm and Monday, June 4th from 2-4 & 7-9pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Assumption Parish in Arichat, Tuesday, June 5th at 2pm with Father Frank Pelrine presiding and co-celebrant, Father Michel Exaland. A private family burial to take place in Acadiaville Columbarium, West Arichat at a later date. A reception will follow the mass in the Acadiaville Community Hall, West Arichat. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Chad William Young Foundation (www.cwyf.org), a foundation made in memory of Brian’s nephew for the Developments leading to the Prevention of Traumatic Brain Injury or to the Acadiaville Cemetery Society, West Arichat. For those wishing to attend the Eulogy prior to the funeral, please attend at 1:40pm. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to C.H. Boudreau Funeral Home Ltd. in Arichat.  To send words of comfort to the family or to light a candle in memory of Brian, please visit: www.chboudreau.com.