Rev. Russell Ralph Sampson S.F.M.

Fr. Russ, born at L’Ardoise, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, on September 23, 1938, and baptised on the same day, was the son of Patrick James Sampson and Margaret Elizabeth (nee McGrath) Sampson. He grew up with his two sisters, Helen and Barbara, in a loving household.

Fr. Russ attended Sacred Heart Primary School in Sydney (1948-1956), and Sydney Academy (1958-1960) including one year (1957-1958) at L'Ardoise Consolidated School. He studied at Xavier Junior College, Sydney (1960-1962), and at St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish (1964-1965), graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He entered Scarboro Missions’ Novitiate year at St. Mary’s, Ontario (1965), then studied theology at St. Francis Xavier Seminary, Scarborough, Ontario (1966-1970), obtaining a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree from the University of Ottawa in 1970. Fr. Russ was ordained to the priesthood for Scarboro Missions on May 16, 1970, at St. Joseph's Church, Sydney, Nova Scotia, by Bishop William E. Power, Diocese of Antigonish.

In 1970, Fr. Russ left for St. Vincent and the Grenadines where he served at the Church of St. John the Evangelist, Mesopotamia (1970-1975), the Co-Cathedral of the Assumption, Kingstown (1977-1987), and in the Southern Grenadines (1978-1990). In 1992, Fr. Russ served an initial year in Guyana, in the township of Charity on the Pomeroon River. He returned to Guyana in 1994 until his retirement in 2009, working at Ascension Parish, New Amsterdam (1994-2000); Hopetown Parish (1996-2000), Holy Rosary and St. Anthony Parishes, Kitty (2000-2005); St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Linden (2005-2008); and Our Lady of the Annunciation, Demerara (2009).

As the elected Regional Coordinator of the St. Vincent Mission (1976-1982), Fr. Russ was a delegate to Scarboro Missions’ 1982 General Chapter. He also served as Councillor of the Society’s General Council from 1990-1992.

Always thirsty for learning, Fr. Russ sought further education during furloughs and a sabbatical year with courses at the Maryknoll Mission Institute (1973), the Immaculate Conception Seminary and Boston College (1976), and the Toronto School of Theology (1992). In 1993, Fr. Russ participated in the nine-month course in Spiritual Direction at the Ignatius Jesuit Centre in Guelph, Ontario, and subsequently served as spiritual director for many people who sought his gift of listening and his counseling. Fr. Russ had a talent for creative prayer and his spiritual offerings deepened the Scarboro Missions community at weekly prayer and at Chapters.

Upon his return to Canada in June, 2009, at seventy years of age, Fr. Russ continued in ministry, celebrating Mass at Cardinal Newman High School and at various parishes in Toronto. He provided spiritual direction, and also helped with the ministry of greeting people who came to our door in search of food vouchers or simply a listening ear.

Fr. Russ will be remembered for his deep humility, his gentleness, his sparkling wit, and above all, his love for the poor. He read avidly on current church affairs and on spirituality – he had more than three hundred books on his Kindle reader – which shone through in his homilies and reflections. Concerning his life, he wrote: “I remember very well, a regular event that would take place every Saturday. We owned a small, elongated tub for our bath as children. The tub was small and a tight fit – like the womb. Eventually I grew too big for the tub. However, as I grew older, I found myself becoming small, again. Like re­entering the womb of God. This has been my process and until this day, I have been preparing to return to the one who was destined to be the centre of my life.”

Fr. Russ, kind and gentle servant, may you rest well in God’s light and peace, at the centre of all existence.

Fr. Russ is predeceased by his parents and survived by his sisters Helen (Richard) Cushing and Barb (Kevin) Greig, nephews Cody Greig and Ellis Greig, and many cousins.

The Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the Chapel at Presentation Manor for Seniors, 61 Fairfax Crescent, Scarborough, Ontario. At a later date,

burial will take place at Holy Guardian Angels’ Cemetery in L’Ardoise, Cape Breton.