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Obituary for Shad Smith
Shad Smith, 51, of Greenfield NH, died on February 9th, 2022 at Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital in Lebanon, NH after a sudden illness. While we are quite certain Shad would not have desired an attempt to sum up his life in a few brief paragraphs, nor do we feel capable of doing so, nevertheless we will try. His time on this earth was marked with fierce determination, fearless honesty, unapologetic humor, brilliant intelligence and deep love for his family, friends, and animals. Equally, his time here was flawed by darkness, doubt, and struggle at times, which made him human, and the kind of person that a vast variety of people could relate to. He left his mark deeply on those that could call him a friend. Born May 22nd, 1970 in Manchester, NH, and raised in the Milford, NH area, he eventually married and produced his 3 proudest accomplishments, his children. He worked a variety of jobs over the years, and was self-employed for much of that, and as many would attest, this suited his independent streak the best. Shad was a person of convictions, deeply held beliefs and well developed ideals, and he rarely shied away from expressing these thoughts to others, whether the receiving party was ready to hear it or not. There were many loves that held space in his life, including the mundane like coffee, a well cooked steak, karaoke, oddly girly and often pink alcoholic drinks, large bonfires, bad dad jokes, a good Jack Reacher novel, his dogs, and long games of Dominoes or Cribbage with friends. Then there were the passions that he devoted years of his life to: karate, music, motorcycles, firearms and marksmanship, and horses and cowboy mounted shooting. His feral competitiveness was never more alive and burning bright than when he was astride his horse Annie running hard and shooting straight, and competing for little more than a belt buckle and bragging rights amongst his tribe of equally crazy friends. The last many years of his life were spent in quiet harmony and new love, riding horses, developing his property, finding intense fondness for the West and New Mexico, riding his motorcycle, campfires, and spending time with his dogs and horses, his friends, and his family and new grandchildren. These were happy years, and he departed this plane surrounded by many who loved him enormously, and will miss him eternally. Shad is survived by his wife Katie of Greenfield, NH; mother Lois of Milford, NH; father Timothy of Florida; daughter Leah Pflaum, husband Sam, and grandchildren Irelynn and Emmett of Ketchikan, AK; son Cade of Farmington Hills, MI; son Wyatt of Milford, NH; brother Timothy and sister-in-law Jessica of Nashua, NH; niece Ember of Weare, NH and nephew Torin of Nashua, NH; and step-daughter Jacinda Riggs of Buffalo, NY. He is also survived by his first wife Deanna Kilgore Mitchell of Ohio, mother of his children; bonus parents Carl and Sally Chappell of Milford, NH; as well as many extended aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. His four legged family-dogs Coco and Olivia; horses Nalini, Django, and Bodhi-will forever search for his love and snuggles. Annie was likely waiting very impatiently in the next realm, ready to join him in new adventures and mayhem. There will be no immediate services, rather a Celebration of Life is being planned for May of 2022. Arrangements are in the care of Michaud Funeral Home in Wilton, NH. In lieu of flowers or donations, please hug your loved ones tight and remember that life is fleeting and full of beauty.
