Obituary of Frank Sreenivasam Samuel

SAMUEL, Frank Sreenivasam

Frank, age 80 years, of Honolulu, Hawaii, passed away on Sunday, October 14, 2018. He was born November 28, 1937 in Sri Lanka to James and Malathi Samuel. After Frank finished high school, he sailed to Ireland to attend medical school.  In 1967, he graduated from the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland, as a medical doctor. Immediately after graduation, Frank left Ireland for Regina, where he set up a private practice with two other physicians at Broadway Medical Clinic. During his seventeen years practicing medicine in Regina, he became one of the team physicians for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, as well as the Regina Rams. Frank also was a team physician for Team Canada at several Olympic Games.  In March 1984, he met Ruth on one of his trips to Honolulu. The relationship blossomed and they were engaged in May and married in October of 1984. Frank moved to Hawaii with all his possessions in a shipping container. He began a four year residency in Adult, Child, and Adolescent Psychiatry at the John A. Burns School of Medicine in Honolulu in 1985. Following his residency, Frank worked in Saipan as a Psychiatrist for the Saipan Medical Center. He and Ruth were privileged and honored to be chosen as the adoptive parents of a little baby boy born in Maple Ridge, BC in 1997. Jonathan became the love of their lives. Between 1991 and 2007, Frank was employed by various agencies such as Ho’omau Ke Ola (substance abuse facility), Kahi Mohala, Hawaii State Hospital, Alaka’I Na Keiki, Child and Family Service, and the Dept. of Education. He loved working with children to help them cope with their challenges. In February 2007, Frank underwent open heart surgery for aortic valve replacement, but his recovery was hampered by many complications. He retired when he realized he no longer had the stamina for a full time job. Frank’s health was steadily declining for several years prior to him entering into the St. Francis Hospice Program in September 2018, where he remained until his passing. Frank is survived by his wife, Ruth; son Jonathan; sister; Beulah Fernando of Regina; nephew Joe Fernando of Regina; hanai daughter Sarah Fox and her sons Elijah and Angelo; many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was predeceased by his parents; his brother-in-law Prosper Fernando; and his faithful adopted brother Mani Jebamalai. A Funeral Service and inurnment has taken place in Hawaii. A Memorial Service will be held at the Italian Club, 2148 Connaught Street, Regina, SK on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.