A. Samuel Smith

Hampton, NH — A. Samuel “Sam” Smith, 71 of Hampton (formerly of Hartford, CT and Athens, GA) died Sunday, June 27, 2021 after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was born in Athens, GA December 25, 1949, the youngest son of the late Clarence G. and Anna M. (Blasingame) Smith. He graduated from Athens High School, class of 1968, where he was a varsity letterman for both basketball and football. He earned a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Georgia, an Associate in Claims and a Certified Property and Casualty Underwriter designation from The Insurance Institute of America. Sam’s career in the insurance claims industry spanned 40+ years. He served as Vice President of VeriClaim, Inc. of New York, NY, an officer of Industrial Risk Insurers of Hartford, CT, and an adjuster for General Adjustment Bureau in Atlanta, GA. Sam was a Professional, highly respected for his honesty and integrity. His skills as an Adjuster and his competence as a knowledgeable manager were greatly appreciated in the industry and most notably by his team of adjusters who followed him from Industrial Risk Insurers to VeriClaim. He was an IRI chairman for the Hartford United Way and a president of the national Loss Executives Association. While growing up in Athens, Georgia, he was “one of Kelly’s Boys” at the YMCA, participating daily in sports activities and cross-country travel adventures. He was a member of the storied Chi Psi fraternity at the University of Georgia and a loyal Georgia Bulldogs football fan. He served six years in the US Army Reserves during the Vietnam era. Sam was a nature-lover and an accomplished Largemouth Bass fisherman, who also spent many New Hampshire evenings surf casting for Stripers and Blue Fish. Above all else, Sam was a family-man and extremely proud and supportive of his two sons. He gave them a childhood on a 16-acre farm in North Granby, CT where they could appreciate woods, open fields, a pond, and all the birds, animals and wildlife that surrounded them. He coached their numerous youth sports teams and was a president of the Granby, CT Little League. Sam made sure they had the best educational experiences available, and was so proud they were honored with admission at St. Paul’s School, Deerfield Academy, University of Pennsylvania, and Tufts University. Sam was a kind and loyal person who never lost the “Sammy Smith” who was raised on a farm in the middle of a pecan orchard and taught to be a good boy who would show the kindness and respect of a Southern gentleman to all who crossed his path. He shared 46 years of his life with his devoted wife, Elizabeth Saltmarsh Smith. In addition to his wife, Sam leaves his sons, Spencer Warren Smith and Skyler Logan Smith, and Skyler’s wife Julie Buce and their daughter Austin Buce Smith, as well as his brother Chip Smith, his dog Baxter, and innumerable friends. Sam’s final days were spent with the caring staff at Cornerstone of Hampton and Beacon Hospice. Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service for Sammy Smith at 10 A.M. Saturday August 21, 2021. It will be held at the “Pinetops Chapel” at the YMCA, 915 Hawthorne Avenue, Athens, GA. The “Y” was a special place for many young boys growing up in the 50’s and 60’s and holds precious memories. Sammy’s life was greatly influenced by the wonderful leaders of the “Y” and the friends he met there. Due to Pinetops Chapel not being air conditioned, the family felt it would be best to have it in the morning. There will be a golf cart available for those with mobility issues. The YMCA is accepting donations in memory of Sammy. In lieu of traditional remembrances, donations may be made to Donation Processing for The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014 or to Athens, GA YMCA 915 Hawthorne Avenue, Athens, GA 30606. Arrangements are by the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home-Crematory, Hampton.

A. Samuel Smith

December 25, 1949 - June 27, 2021