Francis's obituary
CEREMONY Saturday, Oct. 16th, 2021 START: 3:00 pm VIRTUAL LIVE STREAMING:
LINK HERE:https://youtu.be/ishXA0Naewg
Dr. Francis Bainyin Sam passed away suddenly on Monday, October 4, 2021, at the age of 84. He died without suffering, painlessly and peacefully in Accra, Ghana, where he always wished to live out his final days. Dr. Sam was born in Accra on February 10, 1937, to Emma Mills (Ga of Jamestown, Ghana) and Peter Sam (Fanti of Saltpond, Ghana), where he lived and grew up alongside his 12 brothers and sisters. His proudest achievements were undoubtedly his long career as a physician and building a loving extended family as well as an international array of friends and colleagues.
Dr. Sam spent his adolescent years at Adisadel Boys College in Cape Coast, Ghana. In 1961, he was selected as one of two Ghanaian Commonwealth Scholars to attend the University of Alberta (U of A) in Edmonton, Canada. During his time as an undergraduate at U of A Dr. Sam met his ex-wife Catherine Wright and together they had his only son Garth Francis Bainyin Kweku Sam on September 2nd, 1964. In 1968, after completing his Doctorate in Medicine, Dr. Sam returned to Ghana and accepted employment as a Medical Officer in the Ghanaian Armed Forces. Enjoying the rank of Captain, Dr. Sam was stationed as a physician in both Accra and Takoradi, which was the start of a 45 year career as a health care professional. Dr. Sam and Catherine celebrated the birth of his first daughter Lanalee Araba Sekyiwa Sam, in Ghana on May 10th, 1969.
In 1972, Dr. Sam returned to the U of A to pursue a four-year residency in obstetrics & gynecology. After completing these Fellowship studies, he relocated to Toronto, Canada and opened his private practice becoming a pioneer as one of the few African ob/gyn specialists in Canada. While in Toronto, he met his ex-wife Sandra Jane Pennell and they welcomed two daughters, Tanya Nana Panfua Sam and Tamara Baisua Sam, born on December 13th, 1978 and January 7th, 1980, respectively.
In Toronto, Dr. Sam established himself as one of Canada's preeminent Black physicians, delivering literally thousands of babies and helping countless patients, including many undocumented immigrants to whom he provided free medical care. In addition to his role as a physician, Dr. Sam became a strong pillar in the African-Canadian community of Toronto, and established himself as an outspoken leader alongside many esteemed professional peers & business leaders. In 1991, Dr. Sam met his beloved wife, Maxine Bailey, who remains his forever companion. Dr. Sam celebrated the birth of his first grandchild when his daughter Araba delivered her son, Shane Alexander McFarlane, on August 27th, 2004.
In 2012, Dr. Sam retired from active practice to happily divide his life between summers in Toronto & winters at his home in Accra, Ghana.
Dr. Sam was well-known for his outgoing, generous and larger-than-life personality. He loved social events & was a genial host who enjoyed bringing people together to share laughter, music, dance spirited debate & great food. There were very few invitations that he turned down, and few people that he turned away. For almost 25 years Dr. Sam's favorite home on Edenbridge Drive was a dynamic mecca for not only his immediate family, but also numerous extended family members, friends, exchange students & barely-known strangers, many of whom were welcome to stay there for months at a time. Likewise, the home he established in the suburbs of Accra when he retired, became a wonderfully warm landing spot for anyone visiting Ghana. It goes without saying then, that Dr. Sam's longstanding tradition of hospitality will be remembered & missed by many.
On October 25th, 2019 Dr. Sam was blessed with the birth of his second grandchild when his daughter Tamara delivered her first daughter, Adeline Frankie Cavon. We are all tremendously thankful that he had the opportunity to enjoy special moments with this beautiful little girl for the time that he was able to do so.
In the end, Dr. Sam lived out his last days exactly how he will be remembered most: as a passionate, generous man savoring his well-earned retirement in his birth country, surrounded by people who loved & respected him.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations via this platform, to support educational initiatives in Dr. Sam's name, for underprivileged children in Ghana. Thank you.
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Official Funeral Service: In keeping with his wishes Dr. Sam will be buried in Ghana & a funeral will be held for him in Accra on Saturday, November 27, 2021. Additional details will be provided as soon as possible.
Toronto Visitiation & Celebration of Life: An informal visitation with the family for anyone who wishes to pay their respects, will be held in Toronto on Saturday, October 16, 2021, from 2:00pm - 6:00pm at the Unitarian Congregation Church, 84 S. Service Rd, Mississauga, ON L5G 2R9
CEREMONY Saturday, Oct. 16th, 2021 START: 3:00 pm
VIRTUAL LIVE STREAMINGLINK HERE: https://youtu.be/ishXA0Naewg
NO FLOWERS PLEASE. Donations to the Foundation much appreciated.
Dr. Sam is survived by: his children, Garth, Araba, Tanya, and Tamara; his wife Maxine Bailey; his grandson Shane; his granddaughter Adeline; his siblings Augustina Mettle, Gwendolina Botchey, Jacqueline Sam, Patricia A. Sam, Dr. Peter A. Sam Jr., Jemima Sam, Sabina Sam, Alfred Sam, Frederic Sam, Stanley Gilbert Sam, and their respective children.
Dr. Sam was predeceased by his father Peter Sam, his mother Emma Mills, his stepmothers Martha Sam and Auntie Florence, as well as his siblings Elizabeth Sam and Augustus Sam, and his cousin Sarah Mills-Okakoi.
