ARTHUR JOSEPH SAMATTE

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ARTHUR JOSEPH SAMATTE It is with heavy hearts the family announces the sudden passing of our dear husband, father, brother, Papa, and friend, Arthur Joseph Samatte, on August 21, 2002, near Grand Rapids, MB. Art was born in Winnipegosis on October 22, 1939 to Helen Campbell and Harvey Samatte. In his early years, he was raised and educated in the Waterhen area. In 1956, he moved to Churchill, MB where he was employed by the National Harbour Board and Department of Public Works. In 1965 he married Shirley Linski. He began his career with Manitoba Hydro in Churchill in 1972. In 1974, he was transferred to Grand Rapids where he worked for 25 years. Due to medical reasons, Art took an early retirement in 1995. After Art regained his health he became actively involved, and had a passion for, the political aspects of the Town. He held the position of Town Councillor for four years, Vice-President of the local M.M.F. board and a member of the M.M.F. Regional. Art was also affiliated with Cedar Lake Development Corporation and was involved on the Towns Committee for the Annual Winter Festival. Dad loved living by the lake where he would spend endless hours watching the birds who made homes of the birdhouses that he welded. Art was an avid hunter, trapper and fisherman for both pleasure and as a provider of food for his family. He loved going to his camp in the Fall to hunt moose with his hunting buddies, especially enjoying the company of "The Greek". Art loved to travel throughout Manitoba visiting relatives and friends. He also enjoyed spending time with his friends going for coffee, playing cards and especially teasing certain women: Dorothy, Sarah C., Yvonne L., Karen, Patsy, Gwen, Gayle, Cindy, Adeline, Jackie, Linda and Ann F. Dad had a special knack for collecting all types of junk and would spend hours welding anchors for all the fishermen of Grand Rapids. Most of all, Arts greatest love was for his grandchildren who thought the world of their Papa. Art was predeceased by his mother Helen Dupas; father Harvey Samatte; brothers, Wilfred Samatte and Gordie Samatte. He was also predeceased by his friends, Emil Desjarlais, Albert Cook and Norman Sinclair. He leaves to mourn his wife Shirley Samatte of Grand Rapids; daughters, Shelley Samatte (Brad Miner) of Ashern, MB, Sharon Samatte (Roger Dorian) of The Pas, MB, and Sandra Samatte of Winnipeg; sons, Shawn Samatte (Angela Campbell) of Grand Rapids, Shane Samatte (Heather Flett) of The Pas and Daniel Samatte (Ashley Turner) of Grand Rapids; beloved grandchildren, Rene Gould, Achilles Gentle, Aaron Bird, Cassandra Combs, Akrotiri Gentle and Cassius Gentle; godchildren, Michelle Assaily and Carmelle Desjarlais; stepmother Ellen Campbell of Winnipegosis; brothers, Ernest Samatte (Marlene and family) of The Pas, Harold Campbell (Lorraine and family) of Cowan, MB, brother Leo Campbell (Marlene and family) of Waterhen, MB, Brian Dupas of Winnipeg and Jerry Dupas (Judy and family) of York Landing, MB; his best friend Herman Turner; along with numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and many good friends. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 24 at the Roman Catholic Church in Grand Rapids, with Fr. McShessrey officiating. Prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 26 at the Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church, in Winnipegosis. Funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 27 at the Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Winnipegosis with Fr. Joe Cabral officiating. Interment to follow in the Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Leo Campbell, Harold Campbell, Steve Gabriel, Rene Gould, Aaron Bird, Achilles Gentle, Cassius Gentle, Herman Turner, William Ferland, Orma Ferland, Nelson Linski, Dave Hourie, Faron Turner, Edith Turner, Herman James Turner, Brian Dupas, Leonard Flett, Harold Turner, Jerry Dupas, Dave Linski, Raymond Hudson, Ken (Big Bird) Cook, Terry Hyashi, Robbie Buck, Kenny Campbell, Leo Campbell (Beesh), Richard Campbell, Steve Politis (The Greek), special uncle and auntie Bucko and Babe, special cousin Darlene Assaily, John Gentle, John Combs, Roger Dorian, special aunt Angel Dumont, Dollard Gould, Archie Cinq-Mars, Cliff Bjorklund and Raymond Hudson. Pallbearers will be his loving children, Shawn Samatte, Shane Samatte, Daniel Samatte, Shelley Samatte, Sharon Samatte and Sandra Samatte. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation Winnipeg, MB. Special thank you to John Gray of Arnason Funeral Home, Rev. Highway, the nursing station staff and E.M.S. of Grand Rapids, organizers of the bingo and all those who attended and donated, the women who prepared luncheons, Patsy Turner and Leo Campbell for delivering the eulogy and all the people of Grand Rapids for their love and support during our time of loss. Arrangements by Arnason Funeral Homes, Ltd. Ashern - Lundar 1-204-768-2072

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 24, 2002