Philip Samuelson

December 14, 2009

Philip A. Samuelson, 78, of 4696 Maple Grove Rd., Bemus Point, died at 5:30 A.M. Friday (Dec. 11, 2009) in Westfield Memorial Hospital under the care of Hospice Chautauqua County. He was born Feb. 17, 1931 in the Bemus Point home where he lived his entire life, the son of Albert S. and Anna C. Johansson Samuelson. A 1949 graduate of Bemus Point High School, he had been employed as a carpenter with Svenson Builders prior to retiring. He had earlier owned and operated Samuelson Construction, had worked for Klaus Grunau Builders, and had also owned and operated his own dairy farm. He was named the Outstanding Young Farmer in New York State in 1959. Phil was a charter member of St. Timothy Lutheran Church, where he was very faithful in his time and commitment. He had served as Church Council President, had been an usher, had headed the Braille Workshop, and was active on the Property Committee. He had also served on two mission teams to Honduras with the church. All of the cherry used in the woodwork in the church came from his farm. A loving and faithful husband, father, and grandfather and the finest man on the face of the Earth, Phil was the rock upon which his family depended, and he would always be there to learn from and count on. He spent many hours in the bleachers as an enthusiastic supporter watching his children?s sporting activities. He loved carpentry and gardening, especially the growing of his favorite variety of sweet corn. He will be remembered as the best cook in his family, and was famous for his chocolate chip cookies. Phil and his wife Sonnie also participated in the Experiment in International Living, having hosted people from around the world in their home. Surviving are his wife, Sandra ?Sonnie? Hammers Samuelson, whom he married Oct. 14, 1961 in Jamestown; three sons: Jeffrey C. (Lydia) Samuelson of Ashville, Peter P. (Dawn) Samuelson of Bemus Point, and David P. Samuelson of Naples, Fla.; a daughter, Shari A. (Scott) Hallberg of Staunton, Va.; and seven grandchildren: Katie and Danny Hallberg of Staunton, Va., Judah, Jubal, and Joram Samuelson of Ashville, and Taylor and Ryan Samuelson of Bemus Point. Phil and Sonnie also served as Foster parents to Liz Kalish Tabone, and as Foster grandparents to Matthew Mescall and Jessica Grundstrom. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters: Mildred A. Samuelson and Ruth E. C. Samuelson Paasch. A Celebration of Phil?s life will be at 4:00 P.M. Tuesday in St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Bemus Point. The Rev. Katie Yahns will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 7:00 P.M. Monday in Powers, Present & Sixbey Funeral Home. Messages to the family may be sent by visiting the website www.presentsixbeyfuneral.com. In Lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials may be made to Hospice Chautauqua County, 4 W. Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, N.Y. 14750 or to the Ryan Samuelson Fund, c/o M&T Bank, Bemus Point, N.Y. 14712