William Sammis ... enjoyed crafting Shaker furniture; at 73 ...

ROCHESTER = William James Sammis, 73, died at his home on July 4, 2023, after 6 years of living with Alzheimer's. Bill was born in Queens, NYC on May 29, 1950, and grew up in College Point, Queens.

He earned a BS in math from Manhattan College and an MA in educational administration from Columbia University. In 1974. Bill and his wife Terry moved to New Hampshire and have made their home in Rochester ever since. Bill worked at UNH in Computer Services for many years, and then worked at the Monarch School in Rochester as handyman and woodworking teacher until his retirement in 2015.

Besides building by himself most of the Sammis' house, Bill tended extensive gardens of flowers and vegetables and installed a goldfish pond. The pond's numerous fish and annual bullfrogs, its pure-white pond lilies, and its quiet water sounds, made a lovely peaceful corner of nature for family and guests.

Bill also spent many hours in his well-equipped workshop, crafting furniture - mostly in simple Shaker style. He volunteered extensively with Habitat for Humanity, and as a trained Tree Steward and Master Gardener. He was an active member of First Church Congregational, UCC in Rochester.

Bill is survived by his wife of almost 51 years, Teresa (Merz); sons Will (Mahsa), Aidan (Jamie), and David Sammis; daughter Nia Sammis; grandchildren Jax-William, Rayan, and Asia. Also by his sister Kathleen Caparelli; brother-in-law Charles Merz; sisters-in-law Elizabeth and Margaret Merz (White); and numerous nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his sister Patrice Fehling and brother-in-law Richard Merz.