KING, N.C. – Justin Harvey Smith Jr., 63, died Dec. 26, 2007, in King, N.C., after a nine-month struggle with leukemia. Justin was born April 16, 1944, in Eustis, Fla., the son of Justin Harvey Smith and Elena Carangelo Smith. Growing up in New Haven and Bethany, Conn., he graduated from Amity High School, Woodbridge, Conn., in 1962. He received his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Franklin and Marshall College in 1966, and his master’s degree in sociology from Temple University in 1970. In 1974, Justin and his wife, Carol, moved to their homestead in Pittston, to raise chickens, livestock, vegetables and children. After being a stay-at-home dad, he worked for 16 years for the Maine Department of Labor. Most recently, Justin was a trusted and beloved employee of Longfellow’s Greenhouse. Music was an important part of Justin’s life. He played bass guitar in several bands, including Jimmy Midnight and the Chairs and Plain Brown Wrapper. When he got the new RV, the first thing he did was to put in a new stereo, “Gotta have the tunes!” One of Justin’s last pieces of advice was, “if you’re going to sing, sing loud.” Justin also participated in the Pittston Newsletter, canoe races, Appalachian Trail hikes, bocce and horseshoe tournaments, Pittston Appeals Committee, United Bikers of Maine Toy Runs, nuclear referendums and keeping the fields mowed. Justin thrived on mechanical maintenance. The 2000 trip to Sturgis, S.D., with his wife, and good friends was one of his best memories. For many years, Justin and Carol hosted a Memorial Day party, inviting friends and family, and there were lots of friends! The old “one lunger” always made a sputtering appearance. Most recently, Justin and Carol were enjoying themselves spending summer and fall in Pittston, winter in Key West, Fla., and spring next door to their daughter, Ashley and her family in King, N.C. Justin had a big heart and engaged in conversation, gave undivided attention and offered genuine responses. He was a loyal friend who knew the secret of making new friends and keeping old ones. He was always ready to do whatever he could for family and friends. He was not afraid to speak his mind, and when he dealt with difficult issues, like the proliferation of nuclear power or the spreading of sludge in Pittston, he expressed himself clearly and calmly. His family and friends will miss him. Justin is survived by his wife of 41 years, Carol Beacher Smith; his daughters, Ashley Smith Johnson and Rebecca Anne Smith; his son-in-law, Erik Johnson; his beautiful granddaughter, Olina Wren Johnson and Ione Celeste Johnson; his “little” brother, David Lyndon Smith; sister-in-law, Linda Garson Smith; niece, Laurel Kidder Carangelo; and nephew, Andrew Smith. In lieu of flowers, if you wish to make a donation in Justin’s name, to continue his dedication to community improvement, send to Maine Initiatives, 341 Water St., P.O. Box 2248, Augusta, ME 04338. Justin had requested that we all celebrate his life Saturday afternoon, June 14, at Troll’s Knoll Farm, Pittston.
JUSTIN HARVEY SMITH JR.
