John "Tom" Thomas Sampair

John Thomas (“Tom”) Sampair       July 25, 1939 - March 18, 2026

It is with deep sadness we share that Tom Sampair, age 86, passed away peacefully on March 18th with his loving family at his side at Our Lady of Peace Hospice, after a brief battle with cancer.  

Tom was born on July 25, 1939, in St. Paul, MN, to Clarence B. and Georgette Sampair. He was the youngest of five children. His four older siblings adored him, as did their eventual spouses and all their children. He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings Pat (Shelagh), Jim, Joe (Bonnie), and Mary (Bill Lynch), and nephews Scott, John and Mike Sampair. 

Tom was a lifelong and proud St. Paulite. He was educated at several Catholic grade schools, Cretin High School, and St. Thomas College. He forged lifelong friendships with his Cretin classmates as well as with many friends at the rival high school STMA / St. Thomas Academy. The friendly rivalry and razzing continued for 71 years, superseded by strong bonds of loyal friendships. Tom was proud of graduating with his 1957 Cretin class and remained a loyal alum, attending monthly class luncheons and every classmate’s funeral he was able to attend.

Tom was best known by his friends for his love of golf and his golfing successes. He was Club Champion three times at the Town and Country Club and, for a long time, held the low amateur score of 66. Later, his greatest joy was watching his children play team sports and then eventually turn to golf. He taught his 3 children how to play golf and then began teaching his grandchildren - so the Sampair golfing tradition continues.

But Tom will be most remembered for his strong Catholic faith, his ability to face life’s challenges with courage and personal strength, for being a loving and supportive father, an immensely fun and proud grandfather and uncle, a loyal, caring friend and a man of his word. Equal mention must be made about his notable humor and ability to tell a great story, his love of duck hunting and the outdoors, and his reputation as a fierce gin rummy and cribbage competitor.

Tom is survived by his former wife and best friend, Nancy, their daughter Anne Moreland (Jake) and children Courtney, Grace and Emma Moreland; son Tom and children Ben, Mary, Danny, Matthew and Peter Sampair; and son David (Maggie Vold) and children Trisley, Charlotte and Emily Sampair and Birdie, Bowie and Eddie Vold; Tom’s dear sister-in-law Susan Sampair and 22 nieces and nephews, and his Tracy family cousins.

A Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 9, from 4 to 7pm at O’Halloran and Murphy, 575 So. Snelling Avenue, St. Paul.

Funeral services will be on Friday, April 10, at 10am (Visitation at 9am) at Church of the Assumption, 51 W. 7th St., St. Paul.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Cretin-Derham Hall Tuition Assistance, 550 Albert St., St. Paul 55116 or Our Lady of Peace Hospice, 2076 St. Anthony Ave., St. Paul 55104.