WEST GARDINER – Halden (Mooch) Frank Smith passed away on Friday, Dec. 19, 2003, at Maine General Medical Center, with members of his loving family at his side. He has joined his wife of 41 years, Lois G. Shorey Smith, who passed in 1992 and his grandson, Ryan who left us in 1997. Mooch was born on Aug. 6, 1922, in Houlton, the son of the late Charles Sanford Smith and Lucy Barrows Smith. He was raised in nearby Oakfield. Mooch was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army in the European Theater. He was honorably discharged in 1945 with a “Good Conduct” medal and a “Victory” medal. He went to work for Bridge Construction in 1952, semi-retired in 1984 and retired in earnest from the company in 1994. He remained loyal to his former employer and held the company in the highest regard throughout his lifetime. Some of Mooch’s favorite memories were of riding the train all over Aroostook County while coaching “town team” baseball. Like most New Englanders, he was a faithful but frustrated Red Sox fan. He was an avid supporter of Gardiner Tiger Athletics. He was a prominent member of the West Gardiner community and spent many hours drinking coffee and solving the world problems with his friends, Chet Thompson and Bill VanOrman. Even after Lois’s unexpected death, Mooch continued to host the annual family gatherings for Thanksgiving and Christmas at the farm. He will be dearly missed as the family celebrates the holiday season. He was predeceased by his brother, Gordon N. Smith and is survived by a sister, Winfred Ruth Smith Adams of Bingham. Mooch was the proud father of nine children, James C. Smith, Kim R. Greenleaf, Barbara J. Frith , Andrea L. Nuzzo, Halda S. Stout, Hazen M. Smith, Kyle L. Smith, Frank O. Smith, and Vaughn L. Smith. The family also includes 17 grandchildren, Jamie, Jessica, Elizabeth, Thaddius, Brittnee, Kaela, Morgan, Anthony, Bradley, Evan, Katrina, Meghan, Kaleb, Keegan, Oriana, Bryce, Parker; and two great-grandchildren, Marissa and Lexy. Visiting hours will be Sunday 2-4 p.m. at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner where a funeral service will be held Monday at 10 a.m. Burial will be in the spring in the family lot in Cherry Hill cemetery West Gardiner. Mooch was an animal lover and in lieu of flowers, the family requests that you send donations to Kennebec Valley Humane Society, 10 Pet Haven Lane, Augusta, ME. 04330.
HALDEN ‘MOOCH’ FRANK SMITH
