SAMPSON, Robert J. (Paddy) ? (retired CBC TV producer/director/executive producer) on Thurs. 24 Nov. 2005 of complications arising from a chronic lung illness. Paddy was born in Belfast, Ulster, June 18 1926, and raised 12 miles along the road in Holywood. Jim, as his mother Jean and father Bob called him, lied about his age and joined the Royal Navy at 15, spending most of WW II on ships in the Pacific where he was nick-named "Paddy"; the name stuck. A post-war career as a stage lighting director in London and in rep theatre around England made him a natural for a career at the CBC. He started in 1952 as a stage hand, quickly moved up through the ranks of what were the beginnings of a new medium, and finally claimed variety shows as his own. He was a brilliant director who had a special knack with stars and coaxed great performances from the talent and crews alike. He retired from the CBC in 1985 leaving a gap never bridged. The acclaimed opening and closing ceremonies of the1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary which involved a cast of thousands was his last great omnibus event. Paddy was a great reader; he rose before dawn to digest ideas and facts before he even considered breakfast. Nothing gave him more pleasure than arguing the details of history and yet he was the most agreeable of men. For Bette Laderoute, his wife and pal of 36 years, the loss is immeasurable. Paddy, who has lived in Port Hope for the last six years, is predeceased by his parents, his brother Jack, also a TV director, and his niece Christine Sampson. He will be greatly missed by his sister Elizabeth Steffen (Malcolm Greyson), sister-in-law Christel Sampson, nieces Shanty Steffen and Carol Sutherland, nephew Robert Sampson, ten great nieces and nephews and his many friends. A private family service will be held at the Allison Funeral Home in Port Hope.