Paul Joseph Samek Sr.

1936 - 2021

BURRILLVILLE - Paul Joseph Samek, Sr., 85, of Harrisville, passed peacefully on February 8, 2021 at Bayberry Commons Nursing Facility. His last days were impacted with COVID-19 and the restrictions it causes.

Paul was born to Joseph S. Samek, Sr. and Mary (Rogala) Samek, January 10, 1936, in Woonsocket. He was known as quite the prankster during his teenage years. After graduating from Woonsocket High School in 1954, he attended Rhode Island School of Design briefly before entering the workforce. In 1958, he married the love of his life, Frances (Franny) Vetovis, and they lived together in Harrisville for 61 years. Together they raised 5 children and were blessed with 6 grandchildren.

He leaves as his legacy three daughters and two sons: Patricia Russell of Harrisville, Paul Samek Jr. (Paula) of Woonsocket, Christine Samek of Harrisville, Peter Samek (Tracy) of Pascoag and Johanna King (Nathan) of Cumberland; as well as four grandsons and two granddaughters: Joshua, Tia-Lyn, Jacob, Maegan, Nathan, and Nicholas. He also leaves, to cherish his memory, one sister, Phyllis Van Beaver of Woonsocket and two brothers: Joseph S. Samek Jr. of Cumberland and John S. Samek of Pascoag. He was preceded in death by his wife Frances, his parents, and friends too numerous to list.

Paul was employed by Ward Baking Company in Providence until it closed in the late 1970's at which time he accepted a position at Homestead Baking Company, Rumford. In 1978, following a life changing injury, Paul left the workforce which allowed him to hone skills passed down from his father. He became the go to guy for local hunters.

Paul, with Franny at his side, loved being a backyard farmer raising cattle, pigs, sheep, chickens, turkeys, but most memorably, a yak he acquired from a petting zoo. These animals were not pets, they fed his family. From field to freezer Paul could do it all.

Paul was active in the community. Sitting on and then chairing the Burrillville Conservation Commission. He was a member and past President of the Wallum Lake Rod and Gun Club, where he organized the annual fishing derby and frog jumping contest at Little Round Top pond. Through a friend, he became acquainted with charities that grant wishes to children with medical conditions. Not one to sit back, Paul jumped in helping to organize and hold more than 30 annual fundraising game dinners to help grant wishes.

Paul was an avid outdoorsman who, again with Franny, spent much of his time in nature. Before children came along it was waterskiing on Pascoag Reservoir. Rumor has it he was involved in building the first ski jump on the reservoir. Hunting and fishing kept Paul busy in his retirement years. Spring, summer, and fall you could find him at the camp in New Brunswick, Canada where his many neighbors became lifelong friends, making the camp his home away from home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at 10 AM in Our Lady of Good Help Church, 1063 Victory Highway, Mapleville. Burial will follow in St. Paul's Cemetery, Gaskill St., Blackstone, MA. Arrangements are under the direction of the Boucher Funeral Home, 272 Sayles Ave., Pascoag. The family suggests sending memorial contributions to Children's Wishes at www.childrens-wishes.org.

www.boucherfh.com