James Samuel (Sam) McNeish
December 13, 1964 to June 11, 2021
Obituary
Passed peacefully away at his home in St. John’s on Friday June 11, 2021 after a long and courageous battle with cancer, James Samuel (Sam) McNeish, aged 56 years. Predeceased by his parents Cheryl and James McNeish, his uncle Ronnie Rayworth and his sister Margaret Weatherbee. Leaving to mourn his partner Margie McDonald, his sister Betty Jo (Fred Embree) of Fenwick N.S., nieces and nephews Stephanie and Greg Weatherbee and Jenna and Bailey Embree, in-laws Patrick McDonald, Maureen Durdle, Helen McDonald and Chris Regular, Mary and Paul Rickert, Stephen Weatherbee and many other relatives.
Sam was a great friend to many and had many great friends. He is fondly remembered and missed by his wide circle of close and long-time friends in Amherst, St. John’s, throughout the Maritimes and across the country. There are way too many to mention by name but include Darren and Kelly Nixon, Kevin and Jocelyn Devine, Carole Blenkhorn and Owen Hayes, Chuck Linney, Charlie Chambers, Robbie Rolf, Reggie and Karen Caulfield, Jamey Jennings and Joanne Dodd and Dave and Diane Hicks. He leaves many other friends and acquaintances including his Telegram colleagues and his basketball official friends across the country.
Sam worked as a newspaper reporter and later as an editor for over 30 years both in Amherst N.S and at the Telegram after a move to St. Johns in 2007.
As was obvious to all who knew him, sports were a huge part of Sam’s life. He spent many rewarding years as a sports reporter in Amherst. He loved the game of basketball as a fan, a player, a coach and as an official. He was just as happy refereeing junior high games as those he did for MUN Basketball and the St. John’s Edge. He had a passion for mentoring young players and officials. But his love of sports as a player and a fan did not stop there. He played and umpired softball in Nova Scotia for many years and later developed a great love for golf. He was a loyal and long-time fan of the Seattle Seahawks, the Montreal Canadiens, the Chicago Cubs, the Syracuse Orange and LA Lakers. He was a great NASCAR enthusiast and Mark Martin fan. He really enjoyed his stint as an announcer for the Eastbound Speedway in Avondale.
Thank you to the many doctors and nurses who took care of Sam throughout his illness including Community Health Nurse Sharon Nurse and Dr. Dawn Armstrong. A special thank you to personal care attendant, Ben Theriault, whose exceptional care in the last days of Sam’s life was truly a blessing.
As per Sam’s request, cremation has occurred and no visitation or service will take place. Donations in his name can be made to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada and the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Center.
“There is only one thing we can control [in sports and in life] and that is how hard we play.”
Coach Don Meyer
Our deepest sympathy goes out to you Margie and all the families. May the memories you had shared with Sam will help you though those difficult days. Betty, Dave and family
My deepest condolences to Sam’s family and friends. I have fond memories of Sam from high school. He was a genuinely nice person. Rest In Peace Sam.
Sam was a wonderful co-worker and friend. He was kind, funny and supportive. He was always there to listen and had a special knack for getting you to see the positive side of things. He was also a great coffee buddy… the times we all spent chatting, laughing and catching up will be remembered and cherished.
He had a spirit like no other. He meant so much to so many. He will be missed.
My thoughts and condolences are with Margie and his family, my former Telegram co-workers, and all those who knew him.
My condolences to Sam’s family. He was an amazing person who once you met him you would never forget the experience and always appreciate him. We were on the same ward when he was diagnosed. When I was released, Sam insisted on seeing me to the front door and helping me with my belongings. How many would go out of their way to help having only known you for a few days from across the ward? I am glad I met him, regardless of how brief an encounter it was.
Our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to Margie, Betty and family. Without a doubt, Sam has left his mark on our lives and will be forever missed. We have so many fond memories of moments shared with Sam over the years. Sam was a friend you could depend on in any situation and never expected anything in return. His death has hit us hard as he still had so much more to offer his family, friends and community. The only comfort we have is knowing he is now at peace and suffering no longer.
On behalf of NSBO, our most sincere condolences to Margie, Betty and all other family members and friends. Over the last few days, many officials have reached out to me to express their sadness and to share their many fond memories of Sam. Sam was a major contributor to NSBO as he served as Area Supervisor and President and leaves behind a great legacy for grass root development in basketball. We know Sam will be playing basketball with the angels and will continue to be in the pursuit of excellence.. One story officials will appreciate is when I was coaching at Amherst High School, Sam was officiating the game with Doug Wortman and they both had what I would determine a bad call. Sam , in his Mother Theresa way, approached me and said “Coach, you can’t be unhappy as you have the best 2 high school officials in the province. How can we make a bad call?” He was always trying to get the best of me. My hope is officials will keep Sam’s memory alive by continuing to share their stories and memories of him.
On behalf of all your basketball friends on PEI, we offer our condolences- Sam was a first class person and he will be missed
My thoughts and prayers towards your family my deepest sympathy you will be missed you did a good job doing the stories I on people and may you rest in peace God bless ????
Sam was a great colleague and friend. His perpetual smile, gentle way, sense of humour and thoughtfulness will be missed.. Sincere condolences to Margie and the rest of Sam’s family and friends.
Margie , sorry for your loss. A great msn who will be do missed. He fought a hard battle and is not at peace. If you need anything at all we are here.
Thinking of all his family and friends. I thought highly of Sam as a referee and person. He was a lovely man. May he Rest In Peace.
Sorry for your loss Margie , Betty and extended family.
I met Sam in New Brunswick while officiating basketball, we immediately made a connection. When he moved to St. John’s some 14 years ago we reconnected on the court once again. He will be missed by many in the basketball community as he dedicated a great portion of his life doing something he loved. Rest In Peace my friend
Sam was a friend, but more than that he was a mentor and a big brother to a young reporter starting in Amherst in 1992. We were roommates for my first month and then co-workers for 15 years in Amherst. I’ll miss that sense of humour, that goofy smile or when he exhaled through his nose when he’d been bested. Even I moved from being his pupil to his boss we remained friends. It was always special to get a visit from Sammie when he was in Amherst or to pick up the phone and hear Sam’s voice. While we’ve reached the end of the story, the memories will be long-lasting and will be there to cheer us up when we reach the depths of despair. I’ll never forget the washing machine incident, the near escape on my wedding day and of course your meeting with “Mr Green” Rest Easy Friend, we’ll take it from here.
We spent many years in the gym while our son played basketball and the excitement of the Edge games. He always made the time that much more enjoyable. Just a pleasant and wonderful man. Very sorry to hear about his passing. He will be missed by so many.
I knew Sam from the time he started school, he was one of my neighbours. Always happy, always helpful, true sportsman, true gentleman. Loved you dearly, my old friend, will miss you every day.
Sam was such a wonderful friend and co-worker. When our layout department closed, several of us would get together for coffee to stay in touch. We were all looking for new directions, and Sam was always so supportive and encouraging. I am so glad we were all able to spend those times together. I will miss the coffees and fun conversation. Rest easy my friend. You will not be forgotten.
My deepest condolences to the family, he will be sadly missed ???? ????????
So very sad to hear of Sam’s passing. Our deepest condolences. He was such a great person! The man behind the camera at all of my kids sporting events and capturing those moments. Never to be forgotten!
So sad to hear about Sams passing .
My sincere condolences
Sandra Universal travel
My sincere condolences to the family at this difficult time. I always enjoyed having a chat with Sam, usually at basketball, about our love of sports whether it was football, hockey or basketball, sometimes just about life in general. I always looked forward to officiating a game with Sam.
So sadden by your loss. My deepest condolences to all the family and friends who loved him dearly. He will be missed!
Dear Margie
I am very sorry for your loss. May the love and support of family and friends bring you comfort during this difficult time.
Sincere condolences
Mabel
Margie, I was so sorry to hear of Sam’s passing. My thoughts are with you at this very sad and difficult time.
Dear Margie:
We are so saddened by Sam’s passing. We have many fond memories of time spent with you and Sam enjoying his keen sense of humour, sports stories, and memories of his beloved Nova Scotia. We have always admired his commitment to his work, his friendships, and to you. He will be greatly missed.
So sorry to hear of Sam’s passing. I met Sam a number of times when he covered stories for the Telegram. I always appreciated his curiousity and his focus on accuracy. I enjoyed chatting with him immensely. My condolences to his family and friends.
To Margie and Betty Jo ; My Sincere Condolences to you both and the families . Sam; It was an honor and privilege to be your personal care attendant at your time of need . Rest in peace Mr. Sam
Sam was a gentleman and a gentle man. What an honour to have known him. My thought are with his partner and his family at this sad time.
Sam was one of the people who helped make NL basketball the wonderful community that it is. A very good referee who cared about doing it right and about always trying to get better at the craft. A number of years ago, we were talking after a game and he told me exactly how many games he had refereed. It was in the thousands as I recall. He also told me he kept a journal of the games he officiated that he read over from time to time. That is dedication. that goes above and beyond.
He was kind-hearted and had a great sense of humor. It was always fun chatting with him before and after games. He will be missed.
My condolences to his family..
Sam where do I start he was an amazing person we grew up together in Amherst playing sports . He was one of the best thinking of his family in this difficult time rest easy sammie
Always loved to see Sam come into the gym. You knew the effort would be there, there would be no nonsense and there would likely be a yarn after the game. Gone too soon. Sam will be missed by the entire basketball community.
Sorry for your loss. Praying for the family of Sam.
Sam was a wonderful friend. We will miss him and his great smile and sense of humour so much.
So sad to say goodbye to my friend Sam. My thoughts are with his family and friends. Sam you left this world a better place. That says it all to the person you were. Love ya big guy. Gonna miss you .
Dear Margie, Betty Jo, et al,
We were heartbroken when we got word of Sam’s passing. He was always bigger than life, and that presence will be sorely missed here. Sam was not only a valued colleague — he was the best sports editor I ever had — but a friend as well.
Rest in peace, Sammy.
John&Mary Conrad, Amherst.
Please accept our sympathy and condolences for the lads of a great guy in Sam. Allan and Bonnie Stubbert
To Margie and Betty Jo and family: I am so saddened to learn of Sam’s passing. I had the pleasure of working with Sam at the Amherst Daily News back in the ‘’80s. Sam was a good, kind-hearted man who was very supportive to me when my father passed away in 1988. And he certainly loved writing about, and being involved in, sports. A truly great guy. God bless you all.
Sam,
We still remember the first time we met you. You and Margie came to a get-together at our home where you were introduced to the rest of the McDonald family. You came bearing two bottles of wine, a red and a white, and dessert just to cover all the bases. You joined our family that day and over the years and many shared meals we got to know you. At least we thought we did, but it was the last few years, when we really learned just how determined and strong you were. Although you are gone from this life way too soon we know you lived your life just the way you wanted. Whether it was through your commitment to sports, your fashion sense or just your love of the sun, you definitely did it your way, right to the end. You have left us with a wonderful lesson and that is to only do those things that you enjoy because life is too short for anything less.
Our condolences to Betty-Jo and family and to your many friends who along with our family are feeling your loss today.
See you later Sammy.
Helen and Chris
My condolences to Sam’s family and friend’s, couldn’t ask for a nicer man. I will always cherish the memories.
Sam’s family. You will all be remembered in our thoughts and prayers.
Paul & Connie Black
Amherst, NS
So many memories come to me as I remember Sam. His drive to follow the hometown athletes of all sports and report on their progress. He had a knack for finding humor in situations and using it to bring people together. He was a community builder wherever he went. A gentle soul with a fierce will to live life fully. I will miss you my friend. My deepest condolences to Margie, Betty-Jo, Freddy, Stephanie, Greg, Jenna and Bailey, Peter, and his many friends.
My condolences to Sam’s family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers at this time….
Our condolences to Sams family. My son grew up with Sam and he was a great friend. An amazing person. Rest In Peace Sam
Deepest condolences to Sam’s family and friends. I knew Sam during our time at ARHS in the early ‘80’s. I remember him to be very involved individual with lots of friends and his love of sports.. RIP Sam!
My sincere condolences to Sam’s family and friends. Many great memories of Sam over the years. He was one of a kind and will be dearly missed.
Sammy was a welcome face for me. A face from the town we both grew up in Amherst. He migrated here a few years after me and we connected when my kids started in basketball. No matter when i saw him he always had time foe a chat and a hug cause that’s the kind of guy he was. Always asking how I was, always looking out for my kids. He will be greatly missed for sure. His smile, that bounding run down the court and a laugh that warmed you from the inside out. . Condolences to Betty Jo, Margie and his wealth of close friends and family. His heart has stopped beating but the love he shared with you all will live forever Hugs
My deepest condolences to all of Sam’s family.. Too many memories to count growing up and playing basketball together., such a loss.
Sam was a great man, our encounters were short but he always put a smile on everyone’s face in the room. I remember him being kind and generous, he even gave me a pair of his sunglasses one time just because I liked them. It was sad that in his final years he was suffering, however he is in a better place now. Gone too soon, and never forgotten.
So sorry for your loss – I had a pleasure of working with Sam at the news office in Amherst. Very likeable person by everyone and will be miss by all! RIP “Sam I AM” — XO
sorry for your loss