Wallace Henry Smith

His parents, Henry and Rosaline (Brouillette) Smith welcomed him into the world on May 11, 1936, in Woonsocket, RI. He was a 1955 graduate of Woonsocket High School.

Having a thirst for knowledge for both himself, and that which he could offer to others, Wallace received a bachelor’s degree in economics and business in 1957 from Providence College. He later received a master’s degree in economics with a focus on monetary policy and statistics in 1959 from Boston College. He served as an adjunct professor from 1969 until 1982 with St. Joseph College, the University of Harford, Manchester Community College, the University of Connecticut, Tunxis Community College, Rivier College and Hesser Business School.

His professional career focused in the insurance industry, serving as an officer with AETNA from 1963 until 1982 as the company’s Secretary; the Director of Commercial Auto with CIGNA in Philadelphia from 1982 until 1986; and from 1986 until his retirement in 2004, Wallace was the Assistant Vice President in underwriting and industry relations with the National Grange Mutual Insurance Company in Keene. He continued to provide his knowledge of the insurance industry following his retirement establishing his own consultant business in NH, The Insurance Register.

Wallace served as the Chairman with DEVCO Property Association; as a board member with the Great Lakes Casualty Company; as chairman of the NH Small Risk Workers Compensation Pool; as chairman and board member of the NH Reinsurance Facility; as chairman and member of various technical committees with the VT Automobile Insurance Plan; as flood committee member with the Institute for Business and Home Safety; and as chairman of workers compensation and property committees with the Alliance of American Insurers.

Closer to home, in 2013, Wallace began his service to the town on the Swanzey Conservation Commission, serving as chairman starting in 2015. He stepped down as chairman from the commission in 2022, staying on as an alternate for the next two years. It was his goal to ensure the preservation of Swanzey’s natural resources and maintaining its special places. He also served on the Municipal Facilities Review Committee in 2016.

Wallace was a member of the Army National Guard and following his retirement in 2005, he worked with the Federal Emergency Management Assistance (FEMA) as an Insurance Specialist in the Mitigation Division for eight years.

He had a deep appreciation for the simple pleasures in life-family, nature, and a perfectly poured glass of wine.

In addition to his many friends and committee members, Wallace will be greatly missed by his family, his daughter, Christine Solazzo and her husband Jeffrey Kellogg; his sons, Michael Smith and his husband David Sanchez, and David Smith and his wife Marisa; his grandchildren, Caitlin, Lexi, Makenna, Ashlyn and Quinn; and a brother Bruce Smith and his wife Sheila. His wife of 59 years, Nancy L. (Matteson) Smith predeceased Wallace on January 26, 2020.

Family and friends are invited to call on Sunday, September 14, 2025, from 3:00 to 5:00pm at the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene, NH. A prayer service will be held on Monday, September 15th at 1:00pm at the Foley Funeral Home. All are welcome to both services.

For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Smith’s memory to the Town of Swanzey Conservation Fund, PO Box 10009, Swanzey, NH 03446.