Terry Samsoniuk has spent his life taking on responsibility. Throughout his career as a Construction Safety Officer, on the baseball field as an umpire, and now as the primary caregiver for his elderly parents, he has focused on protecting others, solving problems, and showing up when he is needed.
Now retired, Terry continues to stay active by caring for his parents, attending car shows with his father, and remaining involved in his community.
“I’ve always believed that if someone needed help, you helped them,” Terry says.
A Career Focused on Health and Safety
Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Terry is the oldest of four children. After completing his Construction Safety Officer training, he built a career in construction health and safety, where his primary responsibility was protecting workers and ensuring job sites operated safely.
One moment that stands out involved preventing what could have been a serious accident. Terry noticed a crane preparing to swing a suspended load over workers below. He immediately stepped in, stopped the lift, and ensured the work could continue safely without putting anyone at risk.
“My job was making sure everyone went home safely at the end of the day,” Terry says.
Throughout his career, Terry became known for paying attention to details, speaking up when something wasn’t safe, and taking action before problems became emergencies.
Twenty-Five Years as an Umpire
Away from work, Terry spent 25 years umpiring baseball and slo-pitch.
The position demanded confidence, consistency, and the ability to make quick decisions under pressure. His experience and professionalism earned him the opportunity to be selected as one of only nine umpires chosen to officiate at the Senior Summer Games.
“You have to be fair to everyone,” Terry says.
For Terry, umpiring was an opportunity to stay involved in the game while ensuring every contest was officiated fairly and professionally.
Caring for His Parents
Today, Terry dedicates much of his time to caring for his parents, who are both over 95 years old and live together in a care home in Edmonton. They recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.
He visits them at least five days each week, taking care of their laundry, shopping, appointments, and many of the day-to-day responsibilities that help make their lives easier. He is actively involved in their care and is always looking for ways to improve their quality of life.
His father uses a wheelchair, but Terry makes every effort to get him out of the care home whenever possible. One of their favorite activities is attending local classic car shows together.
“My dad and I are very close,” Terry says.
Terry also managed the preparation and sale of his parents’ home, handling the work himself to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Staying Active
Although retired, Terry enjoys keeping busy and plans to return to part-time work when the timing is right.
He continues to attend car shows, follows local baseball, and hopes to own a classic car someday.
Friends describe Terry as dependable, approachable, and someone who genuinely cares about people. Whether he is looking out for workers on a construction site, officiating a baseball game, or helping seniors navigate everyday challenges, he believes in treating everyone with respect.
Looking Ahead
For Terry, the focus has never been on recognition. It has been about doing the job properly, helping people stay safe, and being there for those who depend on him.
Whether protecting workers, officiating championship games, or caring for his parents every day, Terry continues to lead through action and service.
