Sam Shallow, born on June 28, 1950, in Princeton, N.J., passed away on Oct. 11, with his sons by his side.
Sam’s family moved to Fairfield, Conn., where he spent his free time sailing on his family’s boat. They relocated to Vermont, seeking a quieter life and the opportunity to enjoy skiing. Sam was an exceptional skier, confident in tackling any terrain.
However, the allure of the water drew him in.
In his teens, Sam took up surfing, which led him on a global adventure to renowned surf spots. On his way back from Morocco, he visited his sister in Galway, Ireland, and landed a job on a fishing boat. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life.
Ireland’s great surf and fishing opportunities captivated him, and he made friends who shared his passion and humor. He ended up staying in Ireland for 13 years.
In 1979, Sam came to Woodstock to visit his father. There, he reunited with an old ski friend, Becky Brettell. They married a year later and continued to reside in Ireland for several years before returning to Woodstock, where they welcomed their two sons. Later, they moved to Hartland. After 24 years, their marriage ended. Sam spent his later years between Key West, Fla., and Hartland fishing and skiing.
Throughout his life, Sam was an avid reader of history, not just American but also global. He had a diverse range of hobbies, including woodworking and restoring old tools and guns. He was always engrossed in some creative project.
Sam was devoted to his sons, Sammy Shallow (Laura) of North Reno, Nev.; and Christopher Shallow (Allison) of Truckee, Calif.; and his grandson, Levi Shallow. He is also survived by his sister, Elisabeth Bernard; and nieces Jade and Annika. His sister, Sayre Shallow, predeceased him. His family is very thankful to neighbor Marc Palmer for his years of friendship and care he gave to Sam.
