Samuel Robert Willetts

Samuel Robert Willetts was born in Toronto on September 25, 1996, to his mom Gaylene McCutcheon and dad Mark Willetts. He grew up in Ottawa alongside his brother, Luke, attending First Avenue, Hopewell Avenue, and Glebe Collegiate Institute.

From a young age, Sam's creative spirit was evident. He had a natural aptitude for the arts, expressing himself through drawing, painting, writing, and music. He pursued this passion, graduating from York University's film production program in 2019. Sam worked in the film industry as a lighting technician, with dreams of becoming a cinematographer.

In his daily life, Sam was known for his gentle and tolerant nature, as well as a deep appreciation for the outdoors. He cherished close relationships with friends and family, and loved camping and traveling.

Sam's life ended as a result of a catastrophic cycling accident. In a final act of generosity, he had chosen to be an organ donor, and his gift saved the life of another person.

We mourn that Sam's life was brutally cut short before he could fully realize his dreams and ambitions. We are forever grateful for the time we had to love him. He is survived by his parents and his brother, Luke, as well as aunts, uncles, and cousins from the McCutcheon/Kingdon and Willetts families. We thank everyone for their messages, calls, and support during this difficult time. Sam will remain forever in our hearts and memories and his spirit will live on in all who loved him.

A celebration of life for Sam will be held in Toronto on August 11, 2025 at Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, 506 Bloor Street West. Doors open at 11:30am and the Celebration of Life begins at 12pm. Light refreshments will follow the service. The event will also be livestreamed. Please RSVP to confirm your in person attendance or to receive a link to the livestream.

RSVP here; https://forms.gle/JVCW517gdPeby2AJ9