1938–2025
Ronald J. Padvaiskas, known to most as Sam, passed peacefully on October 10, 2025, at the age of 87, surrounded by his family in a space filled with love, laughter, and music. Just the way he liked it.
He leaves behind the love of his life of 63 years, Doreen (Davies), their 3 daughters, Joanne (David), Gayle (Kevin) and Lisa (Todd), as well as 4 grandchildren, Connor, Maggie, Sam and Joey.
Born in Lachine, Quebec to Peter Padvaiskas and Veronica (Sarulis), Lithuanian immigrants who built a life rooted in resilience, humour, and legendary Sunday dinners. He is survived by his 4 brothers: Peter (Noreen, d. 2016), Gerald (Amy), Edward (Linda), and Richard (Linda) along with dozens of nieces and nephews. The Padvaiskas clan grew into a gloriously large family, gathering weekly at the homestead for Lithuanian feasts, spirited storytelling, music, and much laughter.
Sam’s career began at Bell Canada in 1955, where he rose from telephone line technician to global implementation manager of the SL-1 telephone system with Northern Telecom. His work took him all over North America and included stints in Iraq and Bahrain in the 1970s, but it was the stories he brought home, not the souvenirs, that became family folklore. After retiring at only 50, he launched his own consulting business, proving that even in leisure, Sam was never idle, passing on his astonishing work ethic to his daughters. Lasalle, Lachine and Dorval, Quebec were home base for most of his life, with a brief detour to Los Angeles that added a few stories to the vault.
A sports enthusiast to the core, Sam coached Lachine Lakeshore Football, paddled with pride at the Lachine Canoe Club, curled at the Royal West Curling Club as a skip, and golfed with gusto, with a personal best round of 78. He was a longtime member of the Beauchateau Golf Club in Beauharnois, serving as Club Captain and VP of Golf, titles he wore with immense pride. He and his wife were avid dancers, with no party complete until “Sam and Dodo” hit the floor.
Sam’s social calendar revolved around the Long Table at the Dorval Tavern, where he and his crew masterminded football and 6-49 pools. He won more often than statistically plausible, thanks to his uncanny knack for spotting trends, and maybe a little luck.
He will be remembered for his storytelling, his jokes, his jigsaw puzzle prowess, and his legendary pranks: streaking through Lachine, dressing as Big Bird for snow golf, and once convincing friends he’d died, only to show up with a beer and a punchline. One of his favourite gifts to give family became his signature birthday tradition: double-your-age in toonies.
Sam was a handsome devil, had a sharp wit, and was one of the very, very good guys. His imposing 6’5” presence lit up every room, and his legacy will live on in every laugh, every Sunday dinner, and every story retold. We will miss him fiercely, but know he’s watching with pride, likely grinning before the punchline from above.
We will miss you Ron, Sam, Ronnie, Daddio, Grampa, Grandpa and we will always honour your memory and all you did for us to give us the very best of the best of lives.
In keeping with Sam’s wishes, a private celebration of life with close friends and family will be held in the spring.
RÉSIDENCE FUNÉRAIRE J.J. CARDINAL
2125, rue Notre-Dame, Lachine (Québec) H8S 2G5
Tél. : 514-639-1511 | Téléc. : 514-639-1516 | Courriel : info@jjcardinal.ca
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