Eugene "Gene" L. Samson

Eugene L. "Gene" Samson of Ashford, husband of Helen (Harakaly) Samson, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday June 20, 2012. He was born Feb. 13, 1924 in Willimantic son of the late Arthur and Alexandrina (Durand) Samson. Gene was a World War II Army veteran and had been employed on the railroad prior to entering the military. He retired from SNET in 1983 with thirty eight years of service. Gene loved sports, playing baseball and golf. He was a member of the Willimantic Country Club and Willimantic Elks Lodge. He was a fan of the Yankees, the Giants and UConn men's and women's basketball. In retirement, Gene enjoyed wood working and working around his home. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter Karen Brooks and her husband Richard of Mansfield, a step son Kenneth Stickney of Ashford, two grandchildren, Aaron Brooks of Mansfield and Roberta Dougherty and her husband Patrick of Andover, a step grandson Adam Lee of Washington and two great grandchildren Jack Dougherty and Ellie Brooks. His family will receive relatives and friends on Monday June 25, 2012 between 10:00 and 11:00am with the funeral service beginning at 11:00am at Potter Funeral Home 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic. Interment will follow in Storrs Cemetery. For those wishing to make a memorial donation, the family suggests the Ashford Vol. Fire Dept., P.O. Box 1, Ashford, CT. 06278. For an online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .