SAMUEL GELSTON KING

KING, Samuel Gelston Age 87, formerly of Little Compton, RI, died Friday, January 9, 2015 surrounded by his loving family. Sam was the son of Franklin and Margaret Marshall King. He grew up in Chestnut Hill attending the Dexter School and graduating from the Noble and Greenough School in 1945 where he was the coxswain of the varsity crew and skated on the varsity hockey team. Sam went on to Harvard, graduating in the class of 1949. Highlights of his college career included being a member of the A.D. Club, of the rowing team, and most importantly, of the ski team. While skiing for Harvard he met and later married his wife, Jean "Teenie" MacLeod. Sam went on to Harvard Law School and spent his entire professional career at the firm of Herrick and Smith. Sam had a deep sense of social responsibility. He gave generously to charities both monetarily but, more importantly, as a volunteer leader. The welfare of children was of upmost importance to Sam as he served as a board member at the Judge Baker Children's Center, the Brimmer and May School and the Holderness School. After moving to Little Compton, he was also involved with his church, St. Andrews and was the Chairman of the Little Compton Zoning Board of Review for many years. He was a pragmatic environmentalist actively supporting the Coalition for Buzzards Bay and the Nature Conservancy. Spending every summer at Quissett Harbor on Cape Cod, he was an avid sailor and loved everything to do with ships, sailing and the sea; a love he shared with his sister, Jib Beale and brother, Bunge King. Sam was a loving husband and father. His family was his priority. Family cruises to Maine, ski trips to Cannon Mt. and walking in the woods in Dover, MA where he raised his children gave Sam's kids the opportunity to love and appreciate nature as he did. Sam leaves behind his children: Sam King and his wife, Linda, of Dedham, MA; Ginny King Greenwood of Barrington RI; Debby King of Dedham, MA; and David King and his wife, Danielle, of Old Saybrook, Ct; grandchildren, Molly, Sam, Lucy, Jack and Cameron; two great grandsons; his sister-in-law, Paulie Loomis and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of Sam's Life will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 11:00 at St. Andrew's by-the-Sea, 182 Willow Ave., Little Compton, RI 02837. In lieu of flowers, donations in Sam's memory may be made to St. Andrews by-the-Sea or The Nature Conservancy, 159 Waterman St., Providence, RI 02906. To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralservice.com.