Obituary of Samuel J. Roberts, Sr.

Samuel J. Roberts, a former local politician, died Wednesday in Putnam, CT. He was 87. Born a tall, friendly, hand shaking native of Holly Springs, Arkansas, Mr. Roberts moved to New Jersey through his service in the Marines as a paratrooper during World War II. After the Marines, he settled in Lakewood, New Jersey to marry and raise his family. Most of his career was spent in the plastics molding industry, but his passion was politics. He believed in good, honest, sound and clean government, against waste, mismanagement and corruption. Mr. Roberts served as Mayor of Lakewood, NJ 1956-57. Moving to Bethel, Vermont and later settling in Putnam, CT in the 1960s, Mr. Roberts got back into politics after a 30-year hiatus, serving as Mayor of Putnam, CT 1985-89. Once retired, he moved to Woodstock, CT with his wife Barbara. Mr. Roberts attended Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas. Discharged from the Marines in 1946 as a 1st Lt., he became a Major in the Marine Corps Reserve. He was a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks Lodge 574. Mr. Roberts is predeceased by his parents James E. Roberts and Grace A. Pryor, brother James E. Roberts, first wife Evelyn Folke Roberts, and son Clifford A. Roberts. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Barbara Lewis Roberts of Woodstock, CT; daughter Elaine J. Roberts and son Samuel J. Roberts, both of New Marlborough, MA; daughter and son-in-law Joann E. and Ray Bierly of Tarpon Springs, FL; step daughter and son-in-law Cynthia and Ronald Brown, step son Todd Goodwin, all of Woodstock, CT; step son and daughter-in-law Mark and Janet Goodwin of Sutton, MA; step daughter Wendy Goodwin of Pittsfield, MA; step daughter and son-in-law Rebecca and William Augustus of Sutton, MA; grandchildren Cassidy, Corey, Benjamin, Jonathan, Ryan, Jacquelyn, Jamie, Lauren, Dina, Lisa and Jeff with two great grand children, Grant and Brittany. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove Street, Putnam, CT. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 on Thursday at Christ Church, 521 Pomfret St., Pomfret, CT, followed by military honors. Burial at a future date will be at Woodlawn Cemetery, Lakewood, NJ. Memorial donations may be made to Putnam Recreation Youth Fund, c/o Town of Putnam Recreation Department, 126 Church Street, Putnam, CT 06260. To Share a Memory with his family, "Light a Candle" at www.smithandwalkerfh.com