DUMKA, Samuel It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sam Dumka on July 22, 2016. Sam was born on a stormy winter's day on March 12th, 1924, in a log cabin in the farming community of Walkleyburg, Manitoba. Sam was the eleventh and the last. He has outlived his five sisters and five brothers. Sam attended grades one to eight at a one room country school named Brookside. Grades nine and ten were done by correspondence. He completed grade eleven at Selkirk and grade 12 in Winnipeg. After attending teacher's training, he taught in a one room country school, grades one to eight, at Cook's Creek, Manitoba. World War II started, so Sam joined the Royal Canadian Air Force to train to become a fighter pilot. He graduated as an air gunner because there was a surplus of pilots. He was granted his commission as an officer. He was sent overseas and became a tail gunner on Wellington bombers stationed at Kinlos, Scotland. After the war Sam used his military credits to attend the University of Winnipeg. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Further studies earned him a Master of Education degree. In 1949 Sam married Joan Reeve and moved to Kelowna. They were blessed with three lovely daughters, Lynne, Roberta, and Catherine. After teaching in Kelowna for two years, he re-enlisted in the R.C.A.F. As an education officer. After several years Sam returned to teach high school in Kelowna. After teaching in Kelowna for nine years, he accepted a position as principal of Greenwood Elementary Junior High School. Three years later, in 1962, the family moved to Victoria. Sam served as Vice Principal at Gordon Head Junior High, Reynolds, Oak Bay and Spectrum. He said that he thoroughly enjoyed his teaching career. He was also at one time President of the Saanich Kiwanis Club, President of the Boys and Girls Club and lately a member of the Elks Club. Sam enjoyed his 37-year marriage with his brilliant career wife, Joan, who succumbed to cancer. His 29 years of marriage with his wonderful, go, go wife Irene, who has devoted her life to Sam, and arranged trips to most parts of the world were very interesting and enjoyable. For over 20 years Sam and Irene spent the month of November in Waikiki, Hawaii, and four months of winter in their second home at Roadhaven Resort, in Apache Junction, Arizona. Irene and Sam traveled in their motor home for 13 years. They drove across Canada and did the perimeter of the USA twice, 12,000 miles each time. Sam claims that it has been a wonderful life with his terrific, exciting and loving Irene. The time has come to say farewell to Irene, to his loving daughters, Lynne, Roberta, Catherine (Gerry), remarkable Vicky (Mike) and Tina (Walt); wonderful grandchildren Christopher, Kimberley, Philip, Andrew (Amber), Nikki, Maxwell, Duncan and precious great-grandson George. Sam thanks all of you, including his many friends and especially his lovely Irene, for so immensely enriching his life. Celebration of life will be held at the Wardroom, 1586 Esquimalt Road. at 3:00 p.m. August 8, 2016. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/timescolonist/obituary.aspx?n=samuel-dumka&pid=180818783&fhid=12166#sthash.aR9VOM4Y.dpuf