Russell A. Smith, 62 of Goffstown, NH, passed away Monday, January 22, 2024 surrounded by loved ones and family. Russell was born in Oak Park, IL on May 1, 1961, a son of the late Donald and Mary Marcilene (Small) Smith. He had resided in Goffstown for the past year and a half, formerly living in Manchester and Londonderry.
Russ was a Renaissance man and packed a lot of life into 62 years.
Earlier in life, he was a high school athlete, artist, and skateboarder. After graduating from Governors State University, Russ began a successful career in franchise sales, selling countless units for companies like The Athlete’s Foot, Quiznos, and AFC Urgent Care.
He traveled to four of the seven continents, joined a Mardi Gras krewe as a float rider, photographed for the the Atlanta Braves and Knights, and was a prostate cancer survivor. In the community, he served as a volunteer for Camp Braveheart in Georgia, a summer camp for children with heart defects and transplants; helped countless people quit tobacco as a mentor and admin of killthecan.org; passionately refereed and umpired football and baseball; and coached his sons’ teams. When he wasn’t refereeing, he was cooking incredible meals, winning a game of backgammon, riding his motorcycle, or kicking back in his favorite living room chair. He was a fan of Jimmy Buffett, country music, and Alabama football. But, most of all, he was the biggest fan of his sons—always at their games, concerts, or helping out at Kelly’s barbershop. He loved his family and treasured his friendships from childhood to adulthood until the end.
Russ is survived by his fiancé Jeannine Hines and his three sons: Casey Smith and his partner Amanda Pelchat, Kelly Smith and his fiancé Kaitlin Smith, and Keegan Smith and his wife Katy Decker-Smith. Russ is also survived by his brother Richard Smith and his wife JoAnne Schultz, and Ann (Berryman) Smith, the mother of his children. Russ left behind many close friends and extended relatives who also shared many memories that will be forever cherished.
Following cremation, calling hours will be held on Friday, March 1, 2024 from 6 to 8 pm at the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory can be made to Camp Braveheart and Prostate Cancer Foundation,https://cure.pcf.org/site/Donation2?df_id=2441&mfc_pref=T&2441.donation=form1 or to the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, https://www.choa.org/camps/camp-braveheart