George William Smith

George William Smith died Friday May 18, 2018 at Venice Bayfront Hospital in Venice, Florida, following a brief illness. George was born May 20, 1941 in Sharon, Massachusetts, the son of George and Marion Smith. George attended school in Sharon, and then entered Plymouth High School when the family moved to Rumney, New Hampshire in 1957. Upon his graduation from Plymouth High School, George enlisted in the United States Army and served both in the Army and the New Hampshire National Guard. On February 25, 1966 in Plymouth, George married Gail Willoughby of Holderness. The couple lived in Manchester, NH and Sarasota, FL before returning to settle in Holderness in 1969. Their marriage was long and devoted, with their close love extending even beyond Gail's death in 2011. Following his military service, George worked for a time as a police officer in Manchester, and then began his long career working for the State of New Hampshire Liquor Commission. In retirement, George took the opportunity to work in areas of his interest and enjoyment, working as a golf ranger at White Mountain Country Club and a shuttle bus driver for Plymouth State University, and volunteering at Speare Memorial Hospital. George was a dedicated member of the Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Plymouth, serving on several committees, including many years as one of the primary stewards of the congregation's buildings and grounds. George volunteered countless hours on the construction of the Fellowship's Meetinghouse in 1994, and always held great pride in the beauty, craftsmanship, and community spirit that building represented. Throughout his life, George enjoyed travelling, playing golf, bicycling, and cheering on the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. He also loved his grandchildren dearly and enjoyed spending time with them whenever he could. In recent years, George found love and joy once more with his devoted companion, Laura O'Brien, with whom he shared a home in Englewood, FL, and shared travels in Canada, Europe, and all over the United States. George was grateful to be welcomed into, and to share his love with Laura's family as well, including her sons Eric and Terry, and daughter Debra. George is survived by his daughter Katherine Sawyer, his son-in-law Paul Sawyer, and their two children Emma and Aidan, of Hartland, Vermont; and by his sisters Margaret Darrah of Goffstown, New Hampshire, and Elizabeth Russel of Burbank, CA; and by his aunt Ruth Hokans of Brewster, Massachusetts; and by several nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family, and dear long-time friends beyond number. A service to celebrate George's life will be held at Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on Fairgrounds Road in Plymouth, NH, on Saturday June 9 at 1:00 pm, the Rev. Dr. Linda Barnes will officiate. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in George's memory to Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, PO Box 337, Plymouth, NH 03264, www.starrkingfellowship.org

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George William Smith

May 20, 1941 - May 18, 2018