Russell Clayton Smith, 88, died on October 26, 2008 surrounded by his family. He was born on December 31, 1919 to then Londonderry Police Chief Fred Smith and Cora Lurvey Smith of Londonderry.
He was a lifelong resident of Londonderry, marrying Pamela Kelly on July 21, 1945.
Russell served in the United States Army during World War II as a supply coordinator and builder. He was stationed first in Exeter, England; where he met the love of his life on a blind date meant for his superior officer, an experience for which he considered himself eternally blessed. He attained the rank of sergeant while stationed in France despite briefly fleeing back to England to be wed to his beloved Pamela.
After the war, the couple moved back to Londonderry, where Russell served the community as a police officer for more than a decade while becoming an accomplished carpenter and establishing his own construction company, RC Smith Construction, with the help of his son.
Russell spent his retirement years travelling around the world with his wife and spending countless hours in the company of his family, his endless patience and steady hand shaping the skills and lives of those he loved. He was an aviation enthusiast whose dream of piloting an aircraft came true in 2003 when he flew a WWII fighter plane over the skies of New Hampshire. He was a big Red Sox fan but his favorite sport was wrestling and would often sneak away to watch it. He loved nature and was always curious of the world around him, spending much of his time outdoors in the surroundings of his family homestead. Russell was also a member of F. & A.M. Masons, Manchester, NH Lodge.
Russell was a patient, forgiving, honest and stoic man who was both a role model and an inspiration to his family. His quick wit, passion for storytelling, easygoing charm and endless supply of jokes will forever warm the hearts of everyone who loved him.
Russell is survived by his wife Pamela, three children, Cynthia Center of Chattanooga, TN, June Puglisi of Londonderry, NH, and Neil Smith of Goffstown, NH, and their spouses, Glynna, William and Jackie, five grandchildren, Wayne, Wendy, Matthew, Kacey, Kyle, five great-grandchildren, Ryan, Clayton, Jacob, Jessica, Madison, brother, Col. Kendall Smith of Londonderry, NH; and several nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours were held on Thursday, October 30, 2008 from 2 – 3pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry with a funeral service that began at 3:00pm in the funeral home. Burial with military honors followed in the Pleasant View Cemetery, Londonderry. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301, Attn: Gift Processing or see www.DAV.ORG/CST.