Samuel Douglas Shirley left us quietly in the early hours of September 19th, 2024. Having just celebrated his 82nd birthday surrounded by his family, he watched the Jays game and peacefully went to rest with Carolyn by his side. Sam is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 52 years, Carolyn (née MacKenzie), sister Maudrene “Nene” Hunter, daughters Shawna, Heather (Robby Peterson), Valerie, Janet MacDonald (Russ), grandchildren Lauren Casey, Blake Peterson, Hudson Peterson, Natalie Tessier, Chris Tessier, Katie MacDonald, Hailey MacDonald, and cherished nieces and nephews.

Sam, born in Bathurst to parents Doug and Bertha Shirley, moved to Douglastown, Miramichi in 1973 with his wife. Here they bought their home, where they remain to this day, and raised ‘his girls’. Sam’s career was spent working as a treatment plant operator, first for the village of Douglastown and then the city of Miramichi for 25 years before retiring. A proud Miramichier, he was also a founding member of the Douglastown Lions Club, a volunteer firefighter and Meals on Wheels deliverer, a long-standing choir singer and member of St. Mark’s and St. Andrew’s United Church, and served on many boards. He devoted many hours to his city and forged lasting friendships which he held dear.

Sam loved his family deeply. He adored yearly family vacations and get-togethers where everyone came to his home on Williston Drive. During these times, there was much conversation, teasing us ‘knuckleheads’ and ‘dingbats’, sports watching, and time spent in the sunroom or on the back deck. He was a devoted and proud ‘Gampy’ to Lauren, Blake, and Hudson, taking great joy in never missing a sports game (of which there were many), hearing any update in their lives whether it be mundane or life-changing, and teaching them many essential life skills, like how to ‘cheers’, swing a golf club, do a crossword puzzle, and shoot a pellet gun.

Sam’s favorite ...

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