SIMON SAM DIRK

1940 ~ 2013
Simon “Sam” Jacob Dirk, beloved member of the Alfred Egan Home family, passed away in Bow Island on Thursday, April 4, 2013, at the age of 72 years.  Sam was born July 27, 1940, in Leader, Saskatchewan, a son to Mike and Theresa Dirk.  When he was a young boy, the family moved to Empress where he started to get to know what life on the farm was like.  Growing up on the farm meant he would learn the value of a hard days work.  Sam would work along side his dad and brothers and was willing and able to do what was asked of him despite of his disabilities.  He was right at home, whether it was in the field or riding horses – he even got bucked off once and broke his arm!  They later moved to Medicine Hat and Sam started to work at REDI and was a loyal, dedicated employee for a number of years.  He enjoyed sports and especially liked hockey and watching the Medicine Hat Blue Jays play baseball.  He still stayed true to his roots and attended rodeos and made sure to take in the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede every year.  Following the passing of his parents, Sam was moved to a group home in Youngstown and for the past 3 years he was a welcomed member of the Alfred Egan Home in Bow Island.   Sam will be remembered by his siblings, Harry (Pat) Dirk, Leonard (Julie) Dirk, Bernice (Bruce) Creighton, George (Thelma) Dirk, Don (Janis) Dirk and Larry (Alice) Dirk;  a sister-in-law, Joan and numerous nieces and nephews as well as great-nieces and great-nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents, Mike and Theresa Dirk and a brother, Andrew Dirk.  In honour of Sam’s life, relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects and join the family for a ‘Come and Go’ time of fellowship in the Reception Facility at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel on Tuesday, April 9, 2013, between 1:00 P.M. and 3:00 P.M. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting www.cook southland.com)  Memorial donations in Sam’s name may be made directly to the Alfred Egan Home, P.O. Box 3990, Bow Island, Alberta, T0K 0G0.  Honoured to serve the family is Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13th Street S.W.   Medicine Hat, Alberta   T1A 4V4  Phone 403-527-6455