Obituary of George C. Sampson

George C. Sampson, age 97 years of West Bridgewater, Ma, a U.S. Army combat veteran of World War II, who endured the prisoner of war ordeal, died Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at the West Roxbury VA Hospital. He was the loving husband of the late Louise M. (Langley) Sampson for 67 years until her passing at age 90. Born March 15, 1915 in Brockton, MA, son of the late Chester E. and Ethel (Norris) Sampson, he was a 1932 graduate of Brockton High School, a member of the varsity track team and known in sports for his sprinting ability. He resided in Brockton for 36 years until moving to West Bridgewater in 1951. At one time he had an alternate residence in West Dennis on Cape Cod and a business residence in East Greenwich, RI. In 1933, Mr. Sampson co-founded a Rhode Island restaurant on the historic New York-Boston Post Road. For many years he was a chef and director of the popular eatery. He also held merchandising, sales and management positions with Sears Roebuck and Co. in Brockton for 38 years. He was an avid skier and a pioneer of the sport in the 1930s on the slopes of the White Mountains. Being a well-seasoned traveler, he liked taking his family on sightseeing tours. He enjoyed playing golf, practicing organic gardening and landscaping, and visiting with his family. During World War II he served in U.S. Army as an expert rifleman with the 422 Infantry Regiment, 106 (Golden Lions) Division in the European Theater of Operations. He was captured by enemy forces when the Regiment was trapped and battered during the massive Ardennes breakthrough. While reported as a casualty, missing in action, he was a prisoner of war being held under extremely difficult circumstances for almost five months until his escape. His decorations included European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign ribbons, the Combat Infantryman Badge, a Bronze Star, A Presidential Unit Citation Emblem, and the Prisoner of War Medal, awarded for honorable service while a prisoner of war. He was a member of American Ex-Prisoners of War, Southeastern Massachusetts Chapter, a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, Cpl. William F. Reardon, MA Chapter 57, a member of the Christ Congregational Church in Brockton and the former South Congregational Church before its consolidation. He was a longtime member of St. George Lodge A.F. and A.M. in Brockton. He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. William A. (Linda) Costa of Tucson, Arizona, three sons, Donald G. Sampson of Halifax, MA, Robert A. Sampson of Arizona, and David R. Sampson of Vista, CA; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was also the father of the late Kenneth S. Sampson. A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 15, 2013 at 10 a.m. in the Dahlborg- MacNevin Funeral Home, 647 Main St., Brockton, MA. with Rev. Patricia Hayes of Christ Congregational Church officiating. Interment will follow the service in the family plot at Melrose Cemetery, 88 North Pearl St., Brockton. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, March 14 from 4 | 7 p.m. at Dahlborg-MacNevin Funeral Home. For additional information please visit: www.d-mfh.com. Dahlborg-MacNevin Funeral Home 647 Main St., Brockton 508-586-4391