Paul George Sampson

Paul was born in Toronto on January 25, 1945 and raised at 111 Heath Street West, Toronto. He was the only son of Crawford "Sammy" Sampson and E. A. (Betty) Welch Sampson. Paul was educated in Toronto first at the Brown School, followed by his secondary schooling at Upper Canada College, and then "cram schools" Thornton Hall and Jarvis Collegiate.
Paul was a member of the Upper Canada College cadet corps. During his time with the corps, it was inspected by Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh who deemed it the finest he had seen; a compliment that Paul was deeply proud of. Paul graduated first from Sir Wilfred Laurier University (1971) with a triple major in Business Administration, Economics, and Psychology, followed by a Computer Systems, Programming and Analysis degree from York University (1993). His early career was as an accountant on Bay Street and then as a forensic accountant with the Canadian Federal Income Tax Department.
He loved Northern Ontario, where he spent every summer of his life canoeing, waterskiing and sailing at both camp and cottages. Later, it became his permanent residence. He spent winters snowmobiling and carving new trails as "Iron Dog" for Muskoka riding clubs, and spent 25 years living on Lake Menominee, where he was a great support to his mother in her final years. He also helped young men who needed support through the Big Brother's program, a cause dear to his heart. Paul was skilled in outdoor emergency survival and always quick with a joke. He was doting "dad" to dogs Wagner, Lady, Rex and Skye, and colourful "Uncle Buck" to his nieces and nephew. Paul was the sort of uncle who would dive to the bottom of the lake wearing a three-piece suit and tie to rescue his toddler nephew, who had rolled off the dock and sank - but not before sensibly and calmly removing his leather shoes and wristwatch.
A man of principle and ethics, who believed in respecting one's elders, the tenets of Christian faith, and who was deeply proud of his heritage. His analytical and sharp mind was sometimes obscured by his eccentric nature, but at his heart he was kind, generous with what he had, and deeply grateful of kindness and patience shown to him.
His final address was Sundridge, living at his home until the end as he had wished. Paul passed peacefully on November 2 at the Huntsville Hospital of complications from an infection, with family at his side. Mourned by his sister Anne L. Sampson Weeks (Burlington), nieces Caitlin and Gwendolyn and nephew Stuart, and missed by his dear friends Brendan McCarthy, Sylvia Eaton, Howard Day, Nick Tallieu, and many others whose lives Paul touched. We will remember our time with Paul and the many stories he has left us with.
Cremation has taken place and a private interment will be held at the family plot at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto. A Celebration of Life will be held when permissible. In memory of Paul, his family welcomes donations to the Huntsville Hospital or Humane Society. For those who wish, Psalm 23 may be read or his favorite hymns This is my Father's World or All Things Bright and Beautiful may be sung in his memory. "And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die" John 11:26