Friends of the late George I. “Sam” Sampson, 78, of Harrington, may call on the family from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 15, at the Melvin Funeral Home, 15522 S. DuPont Highway, Harrington, where services will be held at noon Friday, July 16.
Mr. Sampson died peacefully Monday, July 12, 2010, at home, surrounded by his loving family.
He was the son of the late Joseph Sampson and Minnie May Bell Sampson.
Mr. Sampson proudly served his country in the United States Air Force from 1949 to 1973, where he was a flight engineer and flew missions all over the world. He retired from Dover Air Force Base as a master sergeant.
Following his military service, he remained active and became a “Sam” of all trades. He worked for Conrail, General Foods and Woods Lumber, served as mayor of Frederica, and also worked with the Frederica Senior Center. He helped the center with many projects and served on its board. He always looked after the senior citizens there and took care of their many needs. He enjoyed helping others, and his skills at building and electrical and plumbing work came in handy many times. Whatever he was building or completing, he remained meticulous and saw it through to the end.
Mr. Sampson enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, golf and being outdoors. He made friends easily and everyone opened up to him without hesitation. His sincere and friendly attitude made it easy for him to make friends with anybody. He was a loving husband and always family oriented. He remained the anchor of the family, a special pop-pop to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and loved him. Rest in peace pop-pop, may the angels always watch over you.
He was a past member of the Air Force Sergeants Association, a member of the Harrington and Camden Moose lodges, and of the Frederica Senior Center.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, June Dack; and a brother, James Sampson.
Mr. Sampson is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Barbara Sampson; four daughters and a son-in-law, Barbara J. Mauchly and Susan A. Vinciguerra, both of Dover, Dotty L. and Wayne Marriner of Smyrna, and Patty A. Baska of Laurel Hill, Fla.; a brother, Joseph Sampson of Parrish, N.Y.; his grandchildren, Christopher Vinciguerra, Angela Ringgold and her husband Doug, Megan Marriner, and Kristina Lindquist; his great-grandchildren, Michael Cox Jr., Mason Ringgold, Roman Vinciguerra and Ashleigh Cox; a nephew, Jeff Dack; and a longtime best friend, Bobby Stiers.
Interment will be in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro.
Arrangements are by the Melvin Funeral Home, Harrington.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the American Heart Association via www.donate.americanheart.org.
