The Rev. Samuel Benjamin Hamblett, III of Derry, NH, passed away on February 11, 2017 at the age of 81. He was born on July 4, 1935 in Derry to S. Benjamin, Jr. and Marie Hamblett. He was a graduate of Pinkerton Academy, the University of New Hampshire and Andover-Newton Theological School in Newton, MA.
Rev. Hamblett is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary (Polhemus) Hamblett; his 3 children and their spouses - Malcolm and Amy Hamblett of Weston, VT, Philip and Jill Hamblett of San Antonio, TX, and Helen and Myron Langford of Chase Mills, NY; 7 grandchildren, Zeb Fortune, Hannah, Ben, Abigail, Rebekah and Samuel Hamblett, and Maria Langford; his sister-in-law Diann Hamblett and cousin Barbara Wilkinson and a number of nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Malcolm W. Hamblett.
Rev. Mr. Hamblett was ordained into the Christian ministry within the American Baptist Churches, USA on February 4, 1962. During his 35+ years of active ministry he pastored the Crown Point Baptist and Third Baptist Churches in Strafford, NH; First Baptist Church, Wolfeboro Falls and Water Village Community Church; First Baptist Church of Hanover (Etna) and Hanover Center Congregational Church; First Baptist Church, South New Berlin, NY and Gilbertsville (NY) Baptist Church; and First Baptist Church, Ogdensburg, NY. He was an active member of the Congregational-Baptist Church of Chester, NH. During his ministry he was active in American Baptist life in both New Hampshire, where he and Mary were involved in the backpacking program at Camp Sentinel in Center Tuftonboro, and in New York. He continued to preach to the age of 80. He enjoyed history, biblical archeology, crosswords puzzles, puns, writing poetry and hymns, and spending time with his family. He was known as a gentle and kind man to all he met.
Calling hours for Rev. Hamblett were held Monday February 27, 2017 from 4 -7 pm at Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry. A memorial service in celebration of his life was held on Tuesday, February 28th at 11:00 am at the Congregational-Baptist Church in Chester, NH. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to either Chester Congregational-Baptist Church, PO Box 306, Chester, NH 03036, or New England Donor Services, 60 First Avenue, Waltham, MA 02154.