SAMUELSON, Norman Dawson (Sam) aged 74 years of Swift Current, Saskatchewan passed away peacefully after a valiant battle with Emphysema on June 27, 2009. Dawson was a faithful husband, father, Papa and friend. He was known to many as “Papa Sam” and as such was quick to offer his love, a helping hand, and sound advice. He loved the outdoors and even in his last days made every effort to sit outside to enjoy the warm evenings listening to the birds and watching the sunset. Sam loved watching his Calgary Stampeders bring home the Grey Cup this past season and he loved watching NHL hockey and M.A.S.H. He was known as a great outdoorsman who loved his golfing, fishing, hunting, playing old-timers hockey, and camping. Those activities were hard for him to give up but he did so with grace and dignity. Because of his lack of mobility in the last year, we have been blessed by an unknown hidden talent that he had with a brush and watercolour paint. Dawson loved to travel to the ocean whenever he had the chance. His favourite spot to spend time relaxing by the ocean was at Qualicum Beach, BC. One of the recent highlights of his life was the family cruise vacation taken to the Caribbean where he could breath easier at sea level and enjoy so many wonderful memory moments with his wife, children and grandchildren. Dawson always embraced life and lived it to the fullest. Whatever he did was done diligently and with exuberance and wasn’t complete until done properly. Sam was a very private man and didn’t speak openly about his faith in his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. All who knew him saw the change in his life over the past five years that only hope in Christ can bring.  Dawson’s living legacy includes his beloved best friend and wife of 44 years, Leona; his children, Melanie (Mike) Kehler, and Ryan (Kim) Samuelson; and his grandchildren, Braden and Amy Kehler and Rone Samuelson with another baby Samuelson due in November. The pride he had in his family overflowed from his heart. He will also be dearly missed by his brothers, Alan (Jean) and George (Shirley); his in-laws, Lenore (Harvey) Wentland, Audrey (Robert) Baillie, Joan Penner (Gordon Stadler), Dolores (Randy) Ens; all his nieces and nephews; and an enormous number of extended family members and friends.

Special thanks to a long-time doctor and friend, Dr. Ibrahim, the nurses in the Emergency and Intensive Care Units at the Cypress Regional Hospital in Swift Current as well as the home-care staff members who tended to Dawson’s needs.

A funeral service honouring Sam’s life will be held at the East Side Church of God (Hwy 1 & 4) on Saturday, July 4, 2009 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dawson’s honour to Blue Bronna Wilderness Camp (Box 65, Longview, AB T0L 1H0 or online  at www.bluebronna.org.). Arrangements were entrusted to Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK 306-773-8355.