George W. Smith

He was born in Manchester April 26, 1936 to George and Hanora (Healy) Smith and was a lifelong resident of this city. He was a graduate of Bishop Bradley High School and New England College.

George served in the US Army from 1959-1961.

He retired from the Manchester Highway Department after working 37 years in the engineering division.

He served four terms as Alderman and 20 years as Selectman for Manchester's Ward 10.

George was dedicated to promoting youth athletics throughout his life. He was a longtime New Hampshire high school football official. Former coach and president of Southwest Little League. Coach of Parkside Junior High and St. Raphael basketball teams. A founding organizer of the West Junior Soccer League. George chaired the Raphael Invitational Basketball Tournament for 20 years. He organized numerous state regional tournaments for Little League, Babe Ruth and American Legion baseball programs.

He was a member, past commander and athletic officer of Henry J. Sweeney Post #2.

George was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and one of the original founders of the resurrected St. Patrick's Parade who served as the Grand Marshal in 2002. He was the Chieftain of the AOH Pipes and Drum Band the past 15 years. He served on the Trinity High School Hall of Fame Committee as well as the Senior Center Board of Directors. He also was the Chairman of the Centennial Anniversary of St. Raphael Parish and was currently serving as a co-chairman for the 100th Anniversary of Gill Stadium.

Among his awards was the Carl Lundholm Memorial Award for Service to Youth and Athletics in NH, Cystic Fibrosis Man of the Year, Elected to the Queen City Athletic Hall of Fame, he was the recipient of two Keys to the City of Manchester, and in 2012 the Piscataquog River Park was dedicated to him for his service to the Manchester community and specifically youth athletics.

George was a communicant of St. Raphael Church.

He leaves his wife of 51 years, Ruthie (Dillon) Smith of Manchester; four sons, Sean W. Smith, his wife Elaine of Manchester, NH, Dennis J. Smith, his wife Elaine of Cranston, RI, Barry M. Smith, his wife Kimberlee of Dover, NH and Ryan P. Smith, his wife Lonnie of Hampton Falls, NH; eight grandchildren, Tyler, Owen, Samantha, Abigail, Jackson, Nathan, Matthew and Aidan Smith; a brother, Dennis Smith, his wife Eileen of Manchester, NH; a sister, Carol Hinkle, her husband Dean of Fanning Springs, FL; nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, June 29, 2013 at St. Raphael Church, 103 Walker St., Manchester, NH.

Burial will be in the NH State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the Visiting Nurse Association, 1070 Holt Ave., Suite 1400, Manchester, NH 03109 or the Henry J. Sweeney Post # 2 Baseball Program, 251 Maple St., Manchester, NH 03103.