Samuel Guertin

Samuel “Sam” Robert Guertin, 34, passed away peacefully on February 18, 2026, in Portland, Oregon after a long and courageous battle with brain cancer. Born on October 23, 1991, in Atlanta, Georgia, Sam lived a life filled with creativity, passion, and an unwavering love for the world around him.

Sam’s educational journey reflected his diverse interests and thirst for knowledge. He graduated from Poolesville High School in Poolesville, Maryland, before pursuing higher education at Hofstra University in New York, McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. His academic pursuits laid the foundation for a life dedicated to artistic expression and personal growth.

A naturally gifted musician from a young age, Sam’s talent and dedication led him to become the lead guitarist for the band Blood Cultures. His proudest achievements included playing with the band at South by Southwest in 2019 and touring across the United States and Canada in 2022, where he played in front of thousands of fans. Music was not just a career for Sam; it was a profound passion that allowed him to connect deeply with others and express his unique perspective on life. Other notable music projects he was a member of were Call My Husband, Sasha Bleker, Human Sport, Sinsyne and Peril.

Beyond music, Sam embraced a wide array of hobbies that showcased his multifaceted personality. He found joy in cooking, hiking, running, surfing, reading, poetry, meditating, and exploring nature. An avid traveler with a deep appreciation for culture and the natural world, he cherished moments spent by the ocean—particularly along the Pacific Coast and in Montauk, New York—where he felt most connected and at peace.

Sam’s adventurous spirit extended to his athletic endeavors as well. In 2016, he ran the New York City Marathon alongside his father, Shawn Guertin. Together as part of Fred’s Team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), they raised an extraordinary half-million dollars for cancer research—a testament to Sam’s commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others.

Those who knew Sam remember him as brilliant and wise beyond his years. He possessed an open mind and an insightful nature that drew people to him. His spirituality and deep connection to life’s beauty were evident in everything he did. Whether through his music or his relationships with family and friends, Sam exuded loyalty and love that left an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to know him.

Sam is survived by his beloved spouse Charlotte Schweiger; his loving and devoted parents Lisa and Shawn Guertin; his loving sister and friend Abbe Guertin; his paternal grandmother Lexie Beebe; maternal grandmother Sandi Triba; as well as aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless friends whom he considered family. He was predeceased by his maternal grandfather Robert N. Irish Jr. and paternal grandfather Richard E. Guertin.

Sam’s legacy is one of creativity, compassion, and an enduring love for life’s wonders. May his memory bring comfort to all who loved him and inspire others to live with the same passion and purpose that defined his remarkable journey. His memory will be cherished by all who had the privilege to know and love him.

Donations in Sam’s memory can be sent to the Sam Guertin Memorial Fund at the National Brain Tumor Society at nbtsevents.braintumor.org/InMemoryofSam or by mail to National Brain Tumor Society, 55 Chapel Street, Suite 006, Newton, MA 02458. Please reference Sam Guertin Memorial Fund in the check’s memo line.

Services will be private