H. Thomas Smith, 74, of Salem, died Saturday, Aug. 16, at Lowell General Hospital.
Born and raised in Meriden, Conn., he was the son of Jere P. Smith and Emma H. Smith of Meriden. Thomas graduated from Meriden High School in 1957 and received a B.A. from Fordham University in Bronx, N.Y. in 1961.
Thomas was a resident of Salem for the past 40 years. After graduating college, he was self-employed as a thoroughbred horse trainer and trained at many race tracks including Green Mountain Park in Pownal, Vt., Rockingham Park in Salem, Suffolk Downs in East Boston, Mass., Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. and Aqueduct Racetrack in Jamaica, N.Y. He later served as the State Steward of Racing for the NH Pari-Mutuel Commission. He was a current member of the Western New England Harness Horseman’s Association.
Thomas was an animal lover who enjoyed spending time outdoors and especially at his daughter's horse farm in Florida, as well as golfing and reading. He will be fondly remembered by family and friends for his sense of humor, mischievous grin and twinkle in his eye.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Jo-Ann Latif Smith. Thomas leaves his four daughters: Amy Glynn, and husband Howie, of Salem; Nora Imprescia, and husband Conard Coovert, of Morriston, Fla.; Melanie Norcross and husband Damon, of Salem; Kara Clark, and husband Benjamin, of Stratford, Conn; sister, Nancy Loiselle of Hamden, Conn.; brother Jere Smith, of East Windsor, Conn.; grandchildren Howie Glynn and his girlfriend Courtney Lambert,Ethan Glynn, and Emma and Sophia Norcross, all of Salem; and Elena, Alden, and Myla Clark of Stratford, Conn.
A funeral Mass will be held Thursday at 10 AM At St. Joseph Parish. Burial will be immediately following at Pine Grove Cemetery, Salem. Family and friends may call Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. at Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St., Salem.
Memorial donations may be made to Racetrack Ministry, P.O Box 501, Salem, NH 03079.