Obituary of Sawyer Thomas Smith

Sawyer Thomas Smith of Norwalk, Connecticut, died on Monday, July 13 after a hard-fought battle with addiction. The cause of death is suspected to be a drug overdose. Sawyer was born in South Barrington, Illinois but spent most of his school years in Ridgefield, CT. He attended the Salisbury School in Salisbury, CT, where he played football and lacrosse, before graduating from Ridgefield High School in 2012. Sawyer attended Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont and Norwalk Community College in Connecticut. In addition to his mother, Tammy Mandeville of Ridgefield; father, James Smith and stepmother Pam Kushmerick of Stamford; he is survived by three brothers, Adam, Eric and Lucas; maternal grandparents, John and Sandy Mandeville of St. Albans, W.Va.; and paternal grandparents Don and Cordelia Smith of Carlisle, Ky. He was preceded in death by his beloved brother Patrick Samuel Smith in 2011. "Sawyer battled like a champion," said his father. "He was surrounded by family and friends who loved him dearly, as well as the very best professional support. In the end it wasn't enough." Fr. Chris Perrella of St. John Parish in Darien, CT will lead a private memorial service for immediate family on Friday, July 17. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Sawyer's memory to The Waterside School in Stamford. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820