Joseph Reed SAMS

SAMS, Joseph Reed
With sorrow we announce the death of Joe Sams of Waterdown, on Saturday, May 20, 2000, at Hamilton General Hospital. Son of the late Earl and Kathryn Sams, he was born August 18, 1923 in Clarion, Iowa, U.S.A.; educated at Westdale Collegiate and McMaster University. Cherished husband of Linda (Rymal) for 53 years. He will be sadly missed by his children Michael (Carolyn) of Anmore, B.C., Sheila Puffer Leighton (Doug) of Waterdown, and Lynn Graden (Mark) of Freelton. Predeceased by his precious son John in 1998 (Kelly of Burlington). Wise and wonderful ;Grampy to Lindsay, Ben, Sarah, Dan, Scott, Allisha, Alexandra, Victoria and Mackenzie. Dear older brother of Lee Sams and his wife Genie of Burlington. Following his service with R.H.L.I. in W.W. II, Joe conducted his own General Insurance business from 1957-1983. He was elected to the Waterdown Council in 1952, as Reeve from 1953-1961, and Warden of Wentworth County in 1958, serving as charter President of the Ontario Association of Counties and Regions in 1959. He was elected Member of Parliament for Wentworth in 1962. Joe's love for his community further included service as Past President of HamiltonWentworth Children's Aid Society, Waterdown Rotary Club, Waterdown Board of Trade, and Waterdown Red Cross. He was former Captain of the Waterdown Fire Department, Past Chairman of HamiltonWentworth Board of Health and of Waterdown District High School Board. He served on the Board of Hamilton S.P.C.A. Joe loved to fish and sail, enjoying the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club, as a member and Past Commodore. He received the Queen's Jubilee Medal in 1977, recognizing his contribution to the community and in 1992, the Canada 125 Medal, honoring his service to Canada. Most recently, Joe greatly relished his career as a senior member of the Assessment Review Board of Ontario, having served in a part-time capacity since 1970. He indeed valued his colleagues and the opportunity to stay so active. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 24th from 1-4 and 6-9 p.m. at the KITCHING-STEEPE FUNERAL HOME, 146 Mill Street North, Waterdown. A private service for immediate family is planned. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to either the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Canadian Cancer Society, S.P.C.A. or the charity of your choice. Our warmest appreciation to Dr. Wes Oczkowski, Dr. John Smart of Waterdown and the staff at the General, who treated Dad with such respect and compassion. He will be in our hearts forever. ;There is a destiny which makes us brothers, None goes his way alone All that we bring into the lives of others Comes back into our own.