BANGOR – John “Smitty” Smith, son of Wesley L. Smith and Freda Mae Pooler, born March 18, 1927, in Brewer, entered into eternal life during the afternoon hours of Dec. 15, 2006. Smitty had been ill since his wife died last December and had been on oxygen for several years, although still able to drive and do errands. Smitty was barely breathing when one of his sons and his only daughter arrived at his home. He expired peacefully upon their arrival. Cherished husband of Joan Mary Smith for 56 years, Smitty is survived by his three children, Timmy and Vicki Smith of Troy, Sharon and Al Belanger of Glenburn and Gary Smith, currently of Chicago; as well as by his maternal cousin, Cherie Belorit of Sedona, Ariz. He was predeceased by his only sister, Marie Morris of Boca Raton, Fla. Smitty will be sorely missed by his five grandchildren, Tonia and Todd Berlucchi, Darrell Thurston, Sean and Chris Smith; and by his four great-granddaughters, Jayda, Taylor, Brooke and Ava. Like Joan, Eileen Ward was his spiritual advisor who brought communion every Sunday. Smitty attended John Bapst High School but did not graduate, preferring instead to join the Navy and serve his country from 1944 to 1947. His most prominent employment was that of milkman for Footman’s Dairy, where he worked tirelessly for 15 years, dragging his two sons with him on snowy mornings when school was not in session. Gary, the younger, being challenged to “run!” when Smitty would stop at each home on his route. His years with the dairy made him aware of his talent in salesmanship, a career choice made easy by his innate ability to keep people smiling with his repertoire of jokes and his congenial personality. Smitty retired from Morris Alper Wholesale Food Co., in 1999, and enjoyed several years of blissful retirement with Joan, the pair being seen daily hanging out at McDonald’s, Dunkin Donuts or Kev-Lan and shopping at Marden’s or Goodwill. Smitty’s relationship with his grandson, Todd, was especially close, as the two were inveterate fans of the Yankee -oops – Red Sox and Patriot teams and never willingly missed a game. Tonia and he were also close, his only granddaughter, accompanying Smitty to doctors appointments, and the pair going for coffee together particularly after his wife’s demise. Chris, like his father, kept up the morning tradition and would stop by to take out the trash and have coffee. Smitty had an especially close bond with Tippy, the feline remained the undisputed master of the house, after Smitty and he became its sole occupants. Smitty’s relationship with each of his offsprings’ spouse was unique. Vicki Smith and he had a tradition of swapping jokes every Christmas eve – even jokes that were as old as the jokesters. His son-in-law, Al Belanger, would predictably come over to fix whatever Smitty had broken, in his ill-advised attempts to fix it. His former daughter-in-law, Diane Bean, would come by frequently with German chocolates for her favorite ex-in-laws, even many years after her divorce from their son. Among his dearest friends, Smitty counted Marlene and Jimmy Spellman of Old Town, and Larry Comer, a friend from grammar school. He cherished his memories of fishing and hunting trips with Jimmy and Hackle Spellman. Lastly, Joan and Smitty enjoyed many happy hours with their retirement friends, Allen and MaryAnn Suddy. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, with the Rev. Roland Nadeau, chaplain of St. Joseph Hospital, officiating. Family and friends are invited to gather to partake of refreshments and conversation immediately after the service at Brookings-Smith Family Center, 163 Center St., Bangor. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in honor of the deceased to St. Joseph Hospital Chapel, 360 Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401.
JOHN ‘SMITTY’ SMITH
