Samuel W. Brenton

Samuel W. Brenton passed away peacefully at home on April 19, 2022, just eight days shy of his 97th birthday. Pap, as he was known to most since becoming a grandfather, was attended with love by his two daughters while he was on hospice care. Pap delighted in his eight grandchildren. He took them for rides around his yard in his big wheelbarrow in the summer and in winter after the first snow, was the first to sled with them down the hill at his house, even well into his 80s! From his hardscrabble life growing up in Brownsville, PA, he went to work in Pittsburgh for the Pennsylvania Railroad at age 17. Moving his family to Canton in 1962 he spent the rest of his 43 year PRR career there. His work ethic was a product of his early self-reliance. He took great pride in the quality of his work. Known to his supervisors as a "can do" employee, he was called on for any important trip to haul equipment in his boom truck. Braving the roads to Buffalo in the teeth of the worst winter snowstorm or driving a bus full of employees to and from the hotel to their railroad training, Pap completed the job…on time and safely. Beginning in his early years in Canton helping the Humility of Mary sisters at St. John's Catholic Church (now the Basilica of St. John the Baptist), all the way through to his retirement, he made many friends along the way. He was a frequent visitor and well-known at the Hartville Flea Market. His return there after sickness had kept him away for months, was marked with hugs and well wishes reserved for those most loved. As a storyteller Sam drew you in and then delivered the punchline with impeccable timing. His gruff exterior belied a heart of gold. Sam was a lover of all nature; dogs, cats, birds, squirrels, deer, and baby racoons…all were welcome in Pap's yard. Doting on his grandchildren and then his eight great-grandchildren seemed to give his retirement years new life. Sam was born to Everett and Gertrude (nee Swift) Brenton and was predeceased by Dolores, his wife of 59 years, in 2012. Survived by three children: Julie (Rick) Gaskell, Flint (Meg) Brenton, and Dolores Brenton, eight grandchildren: Jason (Kristen) Gaskell, Emily (David) Kerber, Abby Gaskell, Michael (Sarah) Gaskell, Molly Gaskell, Christopher Brenton, Caitlin (Kyle) Gerrans, and Ian Brenton; and eight great-grandchildren: Henry, Jackson, Benjamin, Vivian, Brenton, Eli, Charlotte, and Apollo; sister, Luisa Ann Withers, numerous nieces and nephews, especially beloved nephew, Joseph Howard Matthews and dear niece, Diane Fritzley. In his final days he was surrounded by his family, praying for him and showering him with love, good wishes and the gift of their presence. Many thanks to Michelle, Alan, Sarah, and Marie, caregivers at the Aultman Compassionate Care Center, and to Gabriel of Helping Hands. Sam so looked forward to these visitors. Their genuine care, easy conversations and willing ears were a great comfort to him. His favorite charities were St. Jude's Children's Hospital and the Stark County Humane Society. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in his memory to one of them. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Christ the Servant Parish with Msgr. Lewis Gaetano as celebrant. Burial will be in North Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call Saturday from 9-10 a.m. at the Lamiell Funeral Home.