WATERFORD — Beloved husband, father, brother and friend, Franklyn G. “Sam” Sampson, passed away quietly at home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, Feb. 5.

He was born in Harrison, Jan. 10, 1937. Sam grew up in South Paris, then Brunswick, graduating from high school there in 1954. He joined the U.S. Navy soon after and spent 20 years serving our country.

He met his best friend, Helen (Wheeler) Sampson in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., in 1956, and they were married on Nov. 30, 1957. After the Navy, they spent 19 years in Las Vegas, Nev., where Sam spent 17 years as a slot floor manager at Caesar’s Palace. In 1993, Sam and Helen moved back to Maine, settling on Temple Hill in Waterford.

Because of his Naval career, Sam and his family lived in California, Alaska, Maine, Iceland, Maryland and Hawaii. He often played the drums in bands to help the family’s income, making many memories and friends along the way. Though he traveled all around the world and the U.S., Sam’s heart was always in Maine.

The last 20 years were spent here where he and Helen enjoyed being part of the community through serving as deacons at the United Parish Church of Harrison and North Bridgton and playing in the Harrison Bocci League. Sam worked at The Market Basket in Harrison for 12 years, and was a member of the American Legion.

In between all of those dates and facts was a life lived by a man who endeared himself to those of us who knew him by his ever optimistic outlook, unpredictably crazy sense of humor, great love of the state of Maine, the Patriots, his garden and undying devotion to Helen.

All of us who knew and loved Sam, can say with one voice, “Thanks for the memories!”

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Helen; daughter, Barbara (Sampson) Peterson and husband, Tee; two sons, Franklyn Sampson, Roy Sampson and his wife, Jodie; sister, Barbara (Sampson) Matolay; and grandchildren, Elizabeth Simeon and Emily Peterson.

Sam was predeceased by his parents, Kenneth and Barbara Sampson; brother, Kenneth Sampson; and sister, Mary Jane (Sampson) Matolay.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com.