Rowley, Alberta is a classic prairie ghost town and the heart of the town is Sam’s Saloon. Every month (except December), Sam’s comes alive as visitors from all over the province descend on Rowley for “pizza night”, a fundraising effort used to preserve the town. Sam’s wasn’t always a saloon. It was originally a combination of cafe, butcher shop and store.

Sam Leung was a Chinese immigrant and operated the business from 1941 – 1968. After the business closed, Sam retired to nearby Rumsey where he died in 1971. We’ve been to Sam’s Saloon many times and documented Rowley on the channel multiple times. But we never took the time to find the final resting place of Sam Leung.

A month ago eight of us scoured the Rumsey Cemetery looking for his grave marker. We didn’t find it. Now, armed with more information, Emily and I return to find the final resting place of Sam Leung and pay our respects to the man who is synonymous with the legend of Rowley.