Robert H. Samson Sr.

Robert H. "Bob" Samson, Sr. of Falmouth, MA, formerly of East Longmeadow, MA and Waterbury, CT, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at age 83, after a brief illness. He was surrounded with love by his family and in front of his fireplace, two things he loved so much.
Bob was the son of Edward K. "Bud" and Frieda (Klies) Samson, Jr. of Waterbury, CT, where he was raised. He attended Crosby High, where he met the love of his life, Bonnie Quilter, at age 15. Bob and Bonnie married at age 23. Bonnie was a nurse and Bob worked his way up at Kraft Foods, where he would become the Regional Sales Manager for the Northeast.
Together, Bob and Bonnie had three children, Deb, Rob, and Jen, whom they raised in East Longmeadow, after Bob's work transfer to the area in 1968. While it was tough to leave their families in Waterbury, the move to East Longmeadow brought so much joy, meeting friends who became their extended family – spending so much time with all on their cherished street with their amazing neighbors where they would have cookouts and parades and join so many of them at the Paddle Club every summer. There were our own street own parades, fireworks, deck parties, and singalongs. There were blizzards and igloos, and our porch was always the spookiest at Halloween because dad spent so much time making it fun for all. It wouldn't be 4th of July without attending the annual town parade and then having a barbecue in the backyard with all the neighbors into the wee hours of the night. There was the annual vacation to Cape Cod, except the one year that we were asked if we wanted that vacation or a pool. We chose the pool, which became the hub of even more great times in the backyard. The trips to Cape Cod were a precursor to what would happen in their next chapter. Bob and Bonnie loved it there so much that they would eventually build a home in Falmouth MA and move there in 1997, a decision that would bring so much joy to their then growing family. Their home became the gathering place for all. When the kids and 5 grandkids were there, it was everything.
They had what they had always wanted – a place on the Cape that their family could come and gather and enjoy and that's what it was. Bob and Bonnie didn't need to "go away" on vacation, they were already there. Cape Cod was that for them. Their street and the friends they made on it, and when all the family was there, was all they needed and dad loved that more than anything in the world – having his family all around.
If dad wasn't shining his vast brass collection, he was mowing the lawn, planting flowers, sitting by the fire, telling a story, telling a joke, giving a history lesson, quoting a famous and poignant saying, or building something in his workshop (usually a birdhouse). He also loved driving up route 6 and hunting for antiques on a "rant & toot". He loved singing and humor and a Christmas wouldn't go by without him singing his favorite holiday song, "I just go nuts at Christmas". His advice was always sound, well thought out and helpful. He had faith in everyone and their ability to do whatever they set out to. He was encouraging, kind, smart, funny, humble, and patient. If there was dancing, he was dancing. If there was singing, he was singing. If there were jokes, he was telling them, too. If you had a problem, he had advice – good advice. If you were stressed, he'd tell you that this too shall pass. If you weren't sure that you could do it, he knew you could.
We are so grateful for the greatest husband, dad, granddad, and great granddad and know that he will always be smiling on us from above.
Bob leaves his sweetheart and his best friend and wife of 61 years, Bonnie, their children: Deborah and her husband John Rabidou of East Falmouth; Rob and his wife Rita of Somers CT; Jennifer and her husband Bob of Plymouth MA; his grandchildren: Gabrielle (Samson) and her husband Brendan Reynolds of Somers CT, Julianna and her husband Billy Flagg of Somers CT, Jessalyn Samson of Ellington CT, Rob Samson III of Somers CT; Robert "B" DiMartino and his fiancé, Avery Sherwood, of Plymouth MA; and his great grandchildren: Lina and Penelope Flagg.
He also leaves his cherished siblings, his sister Marilyn Caldwell of Clinton CT and his brother Edward Samson III and his wife Terri, of East Quogue NY, as well as his sister-in-law's, to whom he was more of a big brother, Kathleen (and her husband Ed), and Lynn (and her husband Larry), and so many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Bud and Frieda Samson and his sister, Elizabeth Puffer – all of whom we know he is now reconnecting.
Our hearts are broken but we know we will see him in the good in everything because that's what he saw in all.
Calling hours will be held from 2pm - 4pm on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at Chapman Funeral and Cremations, located at 475 Main Street Falmouth, with remarks from the family at roughly 3:30pm. Burial will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to one of the organizations that inspired Bob so much: Massachusetts General Hospital,https://giving.massgeneral.org/ Dana-Farber Cancer Institute https://www.dana-farber.org/,ALS ONE http://weblink.donorperfect.com/BobSamson or any charity that inspires you.