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RONALD A. (SAM) FABRO, CM, OM

Born: Dec 08, 1920

Date of Passing: Jan 02, 2018

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RONALD A. (SAM) FABRO, CM, OM Sam passed peacefully on January 2, 2018. Predeceased by beloved daughter Janet (1987) and loving spouse Anne Marie (2007); he will be deeply missed by his sister Mary Hannesson; son Jim and daughter-in-law Lynda Covello; grandsons, Anthony and Nicholas Fabro; granddaughters, Karen Jacobs and Kimberley McComb; great- grandchildren, Thomas, Emily and Madison Jacobs and son-in-law Bob McComb. Sam was born December 8, 1920 in Maiano, Italy and journeyed to Canada with his family the following year, settling on Garfield Street in the west end. Relocating to Fort Garry with Marie after their marriage in 1953, they hosted countless social events with family and friends at home or at the Sandy Hook cottage. Always quick with a joke, Sam loved to raise a glass of vino and ensure there were lots of laughs around the table. Prominent in business and sports, Sam also gave a lifetime of community service to Winnipeg and Manitoba. He had great success in the wholesale floor covering distribution business, both as leader of his company and at the trade association level. As a longtime member of the Manitoba Club, he served as club president in 1987. An impressive athlete, he helped the Winnipeg Rangers win the 1941 Memorial Cup hockey championship. Originally dubbed "slippery Sam" by the late Vince Leah, the moniker evolved into the trademark "Sam". He was also talented in football, spending the 1942 season as wingback with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before joining the army. The appreciation and promotion of sport led to several organizational efforts, chairman of baseball 1967 PanAm games, chairman/director of Winnipeg Enterprises Corporation (1967-1983) and founding chair /director of Manitoba Hockey Players Foundation Inc. Sam marveled at the wonders presented by the great outdoors. An avid sportsman, he enjoyed hunting with friends in the Passwa marsh and the prairie grasslands. Inspired by the ground breaking work of Al Scarth and Don Muir in nature conservancy at Fort Whyte, Sam joined the initiative and helped guide the development of the world class Fort Whyte Alive. Sam was also a dynamic force in community service, serving as president, Winnipeg Kiwanis Club, board chair of the Misericordia General Hospital and co-founder of the Manitoba Marathon. Awards of the Order of Canada (1974), Order of Manitoba (2014) and induction into the Winnipeg Citizens' hall of fame are testament to his efforts. The family is grateful to the staff at Deer Lodge Centre for providing a comfortable environment during the past year and for your full attention and compassion during Sam's final hours. The family has held a private funeral service. In the near future, we will post details for a Celebration of Life service at which Sam's many friends may gather to remember him, and celebrate a life well lived. Memorial donations may be made to Fort Whyte Alive, or the Sam and Marie Fabro family fund (care of the Winnipeg Foundation). For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit www.chapellawn.ca Chapel Lawn Funeral Home 204-885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 06, 2018

Condolences & Memories (14 entries)

  • Great Man! So many accomplishments, in Sports, Business and especially in giving back to the less fortunate. Gregory , Karen , Mark , Michael and Jason Fabro. Uncle Sam will be missed . - Posted by: Gregory Fabro () on: Feb 07, 2018

  • We were saddened to hear of Mr. Fabro's passing, though heartened remembering the great fortune of having he and his family in our family's lives. First meeting him and family in my early years in Sandy Hook when my parents Ed and Jean became close friends with Sam and Marie. Many memories of visits at Fabro's cottage or ours and family events come to mind. Then as a youth he was always interested in how you and yours were. When you spoke again a month, or two, .. a year later he would recall the details of last meeting and have a new conversation. Sam, my dad Ed, Don (Bones) Raleigh, and Bill Ringer were the last foursome of the "Senior / Seniors" to golf in our Sandy Hook International Tournament the 38th held this last September. He golfed as one of the oldest into his 90's, still to all of us he was just another one of the guys, an old friend enjoying the camaraderie of the day. He will be sadly missed and remembered as an inspiration of how to live a full life. He ran a Great race. Our condolences to his family. - Posted by: Ed Winiarz (Friend) on: Jan 20, 2018

  • I knew Sam through his long-time involvement with the Blue Bomber Alumni association. He was small in stature, but had a giant heart and our community is better for having had him in our midst for 97 years. My sincere condolences to Mary, Jim and all of Sam's family. Rest in peace Sam. - Posted by: Cathy Garski (Friend through the Blue Bomber Alumni) on: Jan 19, 2018

  • On behalf of the Board, Volunteers, Staff and fellow Honoured Members of the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame, our sincere condolences to Jim and family on the loss of your father. Sam Fabro was an integral part of our organization. First as a volunteer on the Board of Directors (1982-2002) including a term as the only the second Chair/President of the Board (1993-99) and then as an Honoured Member (inducted in 1988 as an All Round Builder). Endless energy, charming wit and leadership and a community spirit that few could boast, we will miss you Sam. - Posted by: Rick Brownlee (Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame) on: Jan 15, 2018

  • So sorry to hear of Sam's passing. I have been thinking about him periodically and tried calling him on South Drive a couple of times. He was a great friend of my father Don Raleigh who died in 2012. I always remember his big smile and firm handshake - he was always interested in everyone's lives, no matter how young we were. My condolences. - Posted by: Jack Raleigh (friend) on: Jan 13, 2018

  • He was a wonderful gentleman, a thoughtful friend and always called over at a Manitoba Club event to say hello and ask us how we were doing. Sam's thoughts were always for others. He had also been a good friend of my Dad, Ted Pope, so I've know his name since I was a child. We WILL miss him. - Posted by: Drs. Bill Pope and Elizabeth Tippett Pope (Friends) on: Jan 10, 2018

  • Jim...Pat and I are sorry to hear of your fathers passing. He certainly led a very worthwhile and productive life. You can be very proud of his contributions. Bob Campbell - Posted by: Pat and Bob Campbell () on: Jan 08, 2018

  • Jim I’m so sorry for your loss .. My deepest condolences to you and your family. Sam will be missed very much... his never ending quick wit and his smile will always be remembered! He always kept things interesting keeping us on our toes and he always put a smile on my face! Sam will be missed and remembered always! - Posted by: Theressa Penner aka Terazina (Caregiver at deer lodge ) on: Jan 08, 2018

  • Karen and I, and our 4 children and their partners, were saddened to hear of Sam's passing, but take comfort hearing from Jim that Sam had said he was ready and passed peacefully with family at his side. A Fine man who leaves behind a legacy of service and good deeds. He will be missed but he will also be remembered, not only for the specific achievements and milestones of his life--but for the inspiration he provided and for the example he set for the rest of us to live full lives. Rest in peace Sam and our condolences to the family. - Posted by: Bill Covello (Friend) on: Jan 08, 2018

  • Some of my earliest memories are of my late father, Mr Scarth and Sam enjoying animated conversations at our dinner table after a hunt. Sam was a good friend of our family and a great man who will be missed. - Posted by: Marc Pittet (Friend) on: Jan 07, 2018

  • A great man, will be missed by many. - Posted by: gerry little (friend) on: Jan 07, 2018

  • Dorothy and I are in south Texas but offer our condolences on a life well lived - Posted by: Jim Ernst (Friend) on: Jan 07, 2018

  • Jim I am so sad to hear of your fathers pssing. I always enjoyed the times I ran into him at various events. He was a true gentlemen and fun to be around! Winnipeg is worse off without your Dad here anymore. He will be missed. - Posted by: Don MacDonald (Friend) on: Jan 06, 2018

  • Growing up as a neighbor in Sandy Hook, I will always remember and cherish the great memories of Mr Fabro, and the whole Family. Always smiling, he christened me "Charley Chan", a moniker I detested, but secretly loved because it came from him. It seemed he always had time for Jim and my brother Brian, but always gave me extra attention. Just what a "tag along" little brother needed at that time. I will remember the unique golf swing, the excentric baseball pitch and his friendly, loving , and gentle soul for the rest of my life. Sorry to see you go, Jim you have a special guy to remember! - Posted by: Dave Humniski (neighbor) on: Jan 06, 2018

Chapel Lawn Funeral Home & Cemetery

Chapel Lawn Funeral Home & Cemetery

4000 Portage Ave. (Map)
Ph: 2048859715 | Visit Website

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