MCNEISH, James Samuel (Sam)

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. To send a message of condolence please visit www.carnells. com.

“There is only one thing we can control [in sports and in life] and that is how hard we play.” Coach Don Meyer