Sammy Khalife

Sammy Khalife, age 38, went to be with his Lord and Savior after a courageously fought battle against hypertrophic cardiomyopathy on Thursday, July 14, 2022 at the Cypress Regional Hospital, Swift Current, SK.

Sammy was born October 10, 1983 in Sarafand, Lebanon. He attended the Imam Ali Elementary School and Gazya Highschool. At the age of 16 Sammy was offered a scholarship to learn English at the University of North Texas in Denton, TX. From there, he took Business Management at Wayne State in Detroit, MI. He moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia where he received his Masters in Business Management at Dalhousie University and worked at bank.

When the bank closed, he shifted careers and went to NCCC and received his Healthcare degree, which took him to several cities before arriving in Swift Current in 2016, where he worked at the Cypress Regional Hospital and the Herbert & District Integrated Healthcare Facility. It was a big adjustment coming to a small corner of the prairies after decades in large urban cities, but an opportunity to volunteer as a translator for the Swift Current Refugee Committee changed everything for Sammy and brought many people into his life.

Through being part of this committee, things really changed for Sammy and he began to passionately share his faith. In 2018 another lifechanging event came, when Sammy was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy — a disease which causes the heart to enlarge and had already claimed the lives of his mother, brother, and sister. Many life-threatening obstacles were thrown across his path, but Sammy faced each one knowing that God was in control of his life and would give him the grace he needed to endure. Through this, he was given many opportunities to meet and minister to people by sharing his testimony and faith. Through surgery for an LVAD to keep his heart beating, strokes, and organ failure Sammy was not silenced or defeated, but strengthened in spirit and mind by his faith in God and his friends.

Sammy was well-loved and had many friends, spreading positivity wherever and whenever he could. He was named one of the twenty-five immigrants who had impacted life in Canada by RBC and was a finalist for Citizen of the Year with the Spirit of Swift Current. Sammy was an active volunteer with the Swift Current and Area Ministerial Association doing public relations and media and continued his work with the refugee committee as a coordinator. He was also a vocal advocate for organ donation, playing a significant role in getting the Saskatchewan Organ Donor Registry online and started “Organ and Tissue Donation Week” in Swift Current.

Sammy was invited to share his story and speak at many different events and churches about racism, immigration, refugees, First Nations, and his faith. He was very supportive of his sister, Montaha, when she opened Montaha’s Bistro in Swift Current. In his free time (not that he had much), Sammy enjoyed volunteering, swimming, watching the Bronco’s play, and spending time with his friends and making new ones.

Sammy will be loving remembered by his sister, Montaha Khalife, and her children, Laurine and Ryder; his family in Lebanon, Italy, and Germany; his church family at Community Baptist Church; and by his many friends.

The Celebration of Life for Sammy Khalife was held on Friday, July 22, 2022 at 2:00 pm from East Side Church of God, Swift Current, SK with Pastor Joell Haugan officiating. The service was recorded and and will be posted as soon as possible. “Be Still My Soul/In You I Trust,” “Scars In Heaven,” and “10,000 Reasons” were sung by the congregation, with Teresa Hildebrandt serving as pianist. Tributes were given by Alicia Tait, Brandon Wiebe, Val Salter, and Sharon Lang. Scripture was read by Pastor Chris Dowdeswell. A photo presentation was given prior to and following the service, which can be viewed on the funeral home website. The ushers in the church were Gail Kesslar, Nell Mullen, Ed Klassen, and Danny Giesbrecht.

The Interment Service was held following the service from Hillcrest Cemetery, Swift Current, SK with Ahmed Alrahhal, Abdulbasset Alrahhal, Yusef Alrahhal, Abbas Alrahhal, Kevin Epp, Brenda Epp, Pedro Driedger, and Dallas Braun serving as Pallbearers.

In memory of Sammy Khalife and for those wishing, donations made to the Community Baptist Church designated to Missions and Ministry (800 2nd Ave NW, Swift Current, SK, S9H 0R4) would be appreciated by the family. 

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