SAMUEL RUSSELL SHELTON (SAM)

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SAMUEL RUSSELL SHELTON
December 24, 1996 – November 10, 2020

With breaking hearts, we said goodbye to our beloved Sam on November 10, 2020. He was taken from us at the young age of 23, after a short and previously undiagnosed illness.
Sam will be forever remembered and missed by his mom, Suzanne, his dad Norm and his brother Ben, as well as his stepmom Tracey and stepsisters Hayley and Taylor. Sam leaves behind loving grandparents, Grace Shelton, Elaine Reynolds and Russ Ruchkall; great-aunt Joan Shelton, uncle Don Ruchkall, aunt and uncle Lori and Keith Bilous; cousins Kirstin, Miranda and Harris; the Thompson family – Bruce and Ginny, Rob and Nivez (Sofia, Nina and Mira) and Aynslie and Mike (Jack and Harrison); his girlfriend Angelica Roque and countless friends, extended family and co-workers. He will be missed by his dogs Dakota, Kirby and Sadie and cats Persia and Lily. Sam was predeceased by his grandfather John Shelton and cousin Abbey Ruchkall.
Born on Christmas Eve in 1996, Sam grew up in East St. Paul and Winnipeg, attending Maple Leaf School and Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute, where he graduated with honours. He planned to finish his Computer Science degree at the University of Manitoba next spring.
From an early age, Sam loved all things technical and solving problems. He was a hacker at heart, whether it was finding free wi-fi on vacation or helping a teacher locked out of the system. Of course, he preferred to use his gifts for good. When Sam wanted to optimize his university schedule, he wrote an app to make it easier. He was always there to help family and friends with their tech challenges. Sam loved hanging out at his grandparents' family business, helping with chores and the books. He had a great sense of humour – from being a member of the MBCI improv team to sharing quotes from Borat, a podcast or YouTuber. A true intellectual, he debated as long as you let him, especially at the dinner table with his brother.
Sam was a music lover - whether listening to something obscure or playing piano, guitar or his new ukulele. Family vacations were a favourite. At age 7, Sam heard about Mount Rushmore at school and decided he wanted to see it, so a family road trip was set in motion. Later, there would be many family trips to Mexico, Cuba, Phoenix, Chicago and San Francisco. He traveled to Europe with his class and fell in love with New York on another school trip. Sam also loved winter activities such as skating and snowboarding. We are grateful for the wonderful memories that remain, including an exhilarating snowboarding trip to Sunshine Village with his mom.
In March, Sam moved into his own apartment and was teaching himself to cook, bake and grow his own herb garden. He loved his newfound independence, but still cherished time with family. Sam loved spending summer weekends at the lake. New Seadoos motivated him to get his boater's license this year and he found a passion for exploring the lake. He joked "If only there was a way I could ride a Seadoo for a living!"
Sam, we love you and we will always miss you. It was far too soon for you to go. Thank you to the paramedics, ICU staff and Spiritual Care Services at St. Boniface Hospital for doing their best to take care of Sam. Thank you to friends and family who have reached out with love, flowers and food during this time.
Cremation has taken place and we hope to have a celebration of Sam's life in the spring.

Family and friends may sign a Book of
Condolence at www.glenlawn.ca.

Glen Lawn Funeral Home
204-982-7550

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 28, 2020