Obituaries

"Sam" Wayne Curtis Ketchum, 80 years old, of Hampton, New Hampshire but local Florida resident, passed away on November 21st after a difficult battle with heart disease. Sam was born on August 21, 1942 to Harold and Blanche Ketchum in East Liverpool, Ohio. He was the youngest of seven children. After graduating from high school in 1959, Sam went on to serve in the Navy four years (1962) working on Ice Breaker ships in Antarctica and later in New Zealand. He obtained electrician skills which helped him in his future trade as a builder. His mom told him to take his sewing machine and he earned money repairing the sailors’ uniforms on the ship. Sewing and quilting brought joy to his life later in his years. After the Navy, Sam landed his first job in construction, which he did for 10 years. In 1972, Sam met Linda Mary Beyea, and they wed on August 21, 1973, going on to have three children, Michele (Noble), Renée (Linford) and Linda (Ontiveros). Sam was a force of nature, determined to provide for his family and give them the life he felt they deserved. He created and ran the construction company “Sam Ketchum and Daughters” and a woodworking store and ice cream shop called “As the Wood Turns”. He was a union carpenter in Boston until he retired in 2001. Sam’s family, faith, and religion meant more to him than anything else in the world. Something he often mentioned was that “families are forever”. Sam was unendingly proud of his daughters, sons-in-law: David Noble, Phillip Linford, and Daniel Ontiveros, his grandchildren: Aaron, Ethan, Rachel, Meredith, Hannah, André, Dominique, Madeleine, Mason and Maya, and Great-Grandchildren: Atticus and Clyde. Sam was also a passionate deep-sea fisherman and could often be found at yard sales finding a good deal on Saturdays. He also loved being an auctioneer for the local 4H program, dancing, and holding babies. Anyone who knew Sam knew that he was the life of the party and faithful husband to Linda, and following becoming a widower, to Diane, Lorraine, Rachel and Patricia, respectively. Sam was preceded in death by his wife Linda, his wife, Rachel, his parents, and siblings. Sam is survived by his children, grandchildren and wife Patricia. The family requests that all flowers and notes be sent to the immediate family members. There will be a celebration of life on a future date. He will be buried next to his wife Linda at Hampton Cemetery in New Hampshire.