Lifestyle & Culture
Remembering Samuel 'Sam' Wilkinson: Respected Sports Journalist and Community Pillar
Sports journalist and broadcaster Samuel “Sam” Wilkinson, known for his sports commentaries, was honored as a devoted father and community figure during his funeral service. Colleagues and family paid tribute to his character and passion for sports.
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Originally published by barbadostoday.bb (opens in new tab)
Respected sports journalist and broadcaster Samuel “Sam” Wilkinson was remembered as an extraordinary father and pillar of the community when he was laid to rest on Wednesday.
Known to generations of listeners as Seven-Up Sam presenting morning five-minute sports commentaries for both CBC and Starcom Network, Wilkinson died after a brief illness at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on June 25, aged 82.
During a funeral service at the Christ Church Parish Church, several tributes attested to his good character, passion for sports and love for family and God. He was remembered as a loyal member of Central Cricket Club and Combermere School alumnus.
Daughter Samantha Wilkinson said her dad was a stickler for journalism, an incredible storyteller and a fun person to be around, adding that he had a warmth about him that gravitated people towards him.
She said: “Daddy was truly a larger-than-life person. He was always full of energy, always eager and excited to engage with people wherever he met them.”
She recalled looking forward to fun-filled Sunday afternoons during the Goodland Gardens Crew limes – as the weekly family gathering was dubbed – which allowed for the opportunity to destress and catch up with relatives.
Speaking about the many feats her dad accomplished and his devotion to his family and God, Samantha Wilkinson described her dad as an extraordinary man.
“In life, we get the chance to meet one or two extraordinary people and we are so blessed, so grateful, that God gave us a super extraordinary person to be our dad,” she said.
Her brother Barry Wilkinson, an accomplished sports broadcaster, said his father was his best friend, mentor and voice coach as he helped him develop his commentary skills.
Almost to the end, his father would give him advice or share his thoughts with him about the radio programmes he hosted.
“The Monday before he died, he called me back to his bed and said, [Barry], take your time when doing commentary. I listened to you last night, you are talking too fast; you are getting carried away with this . . . swipe out T20 cricket,” he said.
Barry also recalled he got into sports commentary in the mid-90s when his father had to travel overseas. He was worried about who would fill in for him for the Sam On Sports radio programme.
