August 6, 2008

Retired Superior Court Justice Peter W. Smith Remembered

Concord, NH---New Hampshire Supreme Court Chief Justice John T. Broderick Jr. and Superior Court Chief Justice Robert J. Lynn today expressed their sadness on the death of Retired Superior Court Justice Peter W. Smith of Bethlehem, New Hampshire. Justice Smith died at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center on August 5, 2008. He was 69 years old.

“The Judicial Branch lost a distinguished member and good friend yesterday with the sudden passing of Judge Peter Smith. Judge Smith was an accomplished and respected jurist whose personal warmth, humility and kindness were admired and appreciated by all who knew him, “ Chief Justice Broderick said.

Justice Smith served primarily in the Grafton and Coos County Superior Courts.
“The North County will miss him but his contribution to the administration of justice and service to the people of New Hampshire will be long and affectionately remembered,” Chief Justice Broderick said. “On behalf of the Judicial Branch, I extend our sympathies to his wife Buffy and the entire Smith family.”

Justice Smith was appointed to the Superior Court by Governor John Sununu on March 29, 1985. He retired from active service on October 18, 2003, but thereafter continued to serve the superior court as a senior status judge. Prior to his appointment to the Superior Court, Justice Smith had served on the Littleton District Court since 1969. He had been named presiding justice of that court in 1979.

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