Thomas W. Smith

1923 - 2021

Thomas W. Smith
Thomas W. Smith, III of Lebanon NH, 97 years of Life, passed away January 11th, 2021 after a brief illness not related to Covid19.
Tom is survived by his wife Adele "Topsy" Smith of Lebanon, NH; three children, Suzanne Smith Wright and husband Doug of New Canaan, CT, Hunter W. Smith and wife Sally Roumanis of Hamden, CT, and Stephen P. Smith and wife Jill of Milford, OH; his brother, Carter Smith of Perrysburg, OH; seven grandchildren, Kelly, Sara, Brett, Hunter, Stephanie, Molly and Lizzie; sixteen great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
Thomas was the oldest of three children born to Thomas W. Smith, Jr. and Dorothy H. Smith of Wilkinsburg, PA - a suburb of Pittsburgh, PA. on July 31, 1923. His younger sister Dorothy passed away in 2018 but he is survived by his younger brother of 4 years, Carter, who lives outside of Perrysburg, OH.
He attended Philips Academy in Andover MA, graduating in 1941 after which he attended Yale University in New Haven CT., graduating in 1944. In October of 1944 he married Alison Hunter, of Stamford, CT - better known as "Singie", after which Tom left to serve as an ensign in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
After his discharge in 1945 from the Navy, they moved to Shippan Point and Tom went to work at The Hanover Bank in New York City, while commuting from Stamford. In 1951 he joined the First Stamford National Bank and Trust Company, headquartered in Stamford. Tom spent his career in banking with this bank. He rose to become the Sr. Executive VP of Commercial Lending, the number two position, in what had at that point become State National Bank of Connecticut. Tom & Singie, with their three children - Suzanne, Hunter & Steve - moved to Darien, CT in 1955.
Through his years in business, Tom was involved with CBIA, the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary and other like organizations, working to find ways to improve the business climate in the state of Connecticut.
In 1977 they moved again, this time to New Canaan, CT. to a home whose property abutted the New Canaan Nature Center - a non-profit that Tom took great interest in. He became a member of the Board of Trustees in 1983 serving as treasurer for three years. In 1986 he became President of the Board and served in that role for the next three years. Members of the board said that: "The changes to the Nature center over these six years have been extraordinary, and Tom has been instrumental in all of them." He led the "...successful four-year campaign to fund, design and build the Discovery Center hands-on exhibit & gallery." This was one of many key items that was implemented during that period that looked to solidify the long-range success of the Nature Center. Tom left a "legacy of accomplishments."
In 1991, Tom and Singie moved to New London, NH where they lived at Highland Ridge where he enjoyed retirement along with being involved with the New London Hospital and the Historical Society. They were avid travelers throughout their marriage - visiting many countries in Europe, the Caribbean islands and parts of the USA. Singie passed away in October of 2002 after 58 years of marriage.
Tom married Adele "Topsy" Smith in 2004 and they continued to live in New London until they moved to The Woodlands & Harvest Hill complexes on Alice Peck Day Drive, Lebanon, NH in spring 2018.
Arrangements are in the care of Knight Funeral Home, White River Junction, VT. Online condolences to the family are appreciated at www.knightfuneralhomes.com