Simeon Peter "Sam" Jarvis

NEW CASTLE - Simeon "Sam" Peter Jarvis, 86, of New Castle, N.H., died Sunday, February 5, 2017, at the Edgewood Centre after a long period of failing health. He lived and worked for almost his whole life in Portsmouth in the family's restaurant business.

He was predeceased by his wife Katherine, and brother and business partner, Harry P. Jarvis. He is survived by his only child, Jill Jarvis and her partner William Mouflouze, of New Castle, as well as cousins and their families.

Sam attended Portsmouth schools and Manlius Military Prep School, in Syracuse, N.Y. He graduated from UNH and went on to serve our country in the U. S. Air Force. After being honorably discharged, he returned to Portsmouth and worked in the family restaurant business. First in Jarvis' Tea Room, then Jarvis' Restaurant, The Market Square Pub and then in the mid 70's The Metro Restaurant. The Jarvis' restaurants were always known for their delicious homemade confections, pastries and national award winning New England Clam Chowder.

Sam's love of people and gracious hospitality was common knowledge to all who knew him. It was his "Meet me at the Metro" hospitality that made him the local icon that he was for many decades and even while residing at the Edgewood Centre. Tireless and hard working, he was always the sophisticated gentlemen and kind philanthropist. He loved seeing Portsmouth transform from a small simple town into the destination it is today. He was very involved in Pro Portsmouth and the early days of Market Square Day in the 70's. One of his favorite, and most recent, philanthropic activities was heading up the kitchen at the Common Table on Thursdays at St. John's Church.

Throughout his career, he received many awards including the Paul Harris Fellow from Rotary and was inducted as a Chevalier in the prestigious international gastronomic society the Chaine des Rotisseurs. He received lifetime achievement awards from the NH Lodging & Restaurant Association and the Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce. Sam also served on several local boards including Portsmouth Regional Hospital, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, the Portsmouth Music Hall and the Portsmouth Savings Bank Board of Incorporators.

He had a passion for travelling, and particularly any type of culinary adventure from attending Le Cordon Bleu cooking school at the Ritz in Paris to Guiliano Bugiallis' cooking school in Florence. Other destinations that he loved were Greece, St. Barths, New York City and Napa Valley. His favorite trips were visiting the family village in the Peloponnese of Greece and travelling with the Monacos on the Queen Mary II from England to New York. Through his life and travels to some of these wonderful places, he and Kathy amassed many very special lifetime friends.

He was truly devoted to those he loved, especially his daughter, Jill and his beloved poodle Taki, who was often riding shotgun wherever Sam went. Sam's other favorite pastimes were gardening, fine art, gourmet cooking and entertaining for friends who were always thrilled to be invited to his home.

Many thanks and praise to the amazing staff at the Edgewood Centre. Sam, like all their patients, was cared for with exceptional compassion, kindness and quality care.

SERVICES: A time of visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 8, from 4-6 p.m., at J. Verne Wood Funeral Home-Buckminster Chapel, 84 Broad St., Portsmouth, N.H. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 9, at 11 a.m., at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 40 Andrew Jarvis Dr., Portsmouth, N.H. Private burial to be held in the spring.

Donations in Sam's memory may be made to: The Jarvis Family Endowment for Lewy Body Dementia, Attn: Kathleen Duffy, Senior Director of Giving, The Brigham & Woman's Hospital, Development Office, 116 Huntington Ave., Boston, Mass., 02116. To sign the on-line guest book, please visit: www.jvwoodfuneralhome.com.