Obituary for Jeffrey S Smith
Jeffrey S. Smith, 68 of Swansea, died Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at home surrounded by his family after a long battle with brain cancer.
He was born in New Bedford, graduated from New Bedford High School, and served in the United States Coast Guard during the Vietnam era.
He lived in Swansea for over 40 years, after living in New Bedford and Mattapoisett, and spending several years stationed in the Aleutian Islands in Alaska and on Nantucket.
Jeff was a voracious reader and book collector who spent countless hours exploring libraries and hunting for treasures in used book stores. He had a passion for music and playing the guitar. His eclectic tastes meant he would listen to anything at least once.
He loved playing both his own favorite songs and the favorites of his family members, and was always excited to share what new songs he was working on or jam with other guitarists. He also enjoyed being outdoors, and was an avid hike, gardener, and backyard bocce player.
He spent many summers on the water at local beaches where he swam, kayaked, and dug for shellfish, pursuits he eagerly shared with those closest to him. He was an enthusiastic and competitive partner for years of Saturday morning rounds of golf with friends.
Jeff received a Master’s degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1977 and was also a graduate of the former Southeastern Massachusetts University (now known as UMass Dartmouth). He was a Speech Language Pathologist for the East Providence School Department for over 36 years, where he also coached an ultimate frisbee league.
He was the husband of Susan (Wade) Smith and also the late Sandra (Samanica) Smith. Son of the late Victor W. and Orpha A. (St. Onge) Smith. Besides his wife, he is also survived by his daughter Alexandra Smith and her partner James Sotis of Boston, son Erik Macedo and his fiancée Michele Marshall of Swansea, and daughter Nikole Kenyon and her husband Chris of Swansea. He was the beloved grandfather of Addisyn, Ethan, and Cole Kenyon. Loved ones also include sister Sue Richards and her husband Bob of Mattapoisett, brother Rick Smith and his wife Betty of Falmouth, his nephews Brandon Empey and his wife Krystle, and Nathan Empey.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his calling hours Sunday, January 28, 2018, from 12:00pm – 3:00pm, followed by a funeral service at 3:00pm in the SMITH FUNERAL AND MEMORIAL SERVICES, 8 Schoolhouse Rd. Warren, RI. Burial will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory may be sent to Project Spay, P.O. Box 445 Swansea, MA 02777.
www.wjsmithfh.com
He was born in New Bedford, graduated from New Bedford High School, and served in the United States Coast Guard during the Vietnam era.
He lived in Swansea for over 40 years, after living in New Bedford and Mattapoisett, and spending several years stationed in the Aleutian Islands in Alaska and on Nantucket.
Jeff was a voracious reader and book collector who spent countless hours exploring libraries and hunting for treasures in used book stores. He had a passion for music and playing the guitar. His eclectic tastes meant he would listen to anything at least once.
He loved playing both his own favorite songs and the favorites of his family members, and was always excited to share what new songs he was working on or jam with other guitarists. He also enjoyed being outdoors, and was an avid hike, gardener, and backyard bocce player.
He spent many summers on the water at local beaches where he swam, kayaked, and dug for shellfish, pursuits he eagerly shared with those closest to him. He was an enthusiastic and competitive partner for years of Saturday morning rounds of golf with friends.
Jeff received a Master’s degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1977 and was also a graduate of the former Southeastern Massachusetts University (now known as UMass Dartmouth). He was a Speech Language Pathologist for the East Providence School Department for over 36 years, where he also coached an ultimate frisbee league.
He was the husband of Susan (Wade) Smith and also the late Sandra (Samanica) Smith. Son of the late Victor W. and Orpha A. (St. Onge) Smith. Besides his wife, he is also survived by his daughter Alexandra Smith and her partner James Sotis of Boston, son Erik Macedo and his fiancée Michele Marshall of Swansea, and daughter Nikole Kenyon and her husband Chris of Swansea. He was the beloved grandfather of Addisyn, Ethan, and Cole Kenyon. Loved ones also include sister Sue Richards and her husband Bob of Mattapoisett, brother Rick Smith and his wife Betty of Falmouth, his nephews Brandon Empey and his wife Krystle, and Nathan Empey.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his calling hours Sunday, January 28, 2018, from 12:00pm – 3:00pm, followed by a funeral service at 3:00pm in the SMITH FUNERAL AND MEMORIAL SERVICES, 8 Schoolhouse Rd. Warren, RI. Burial will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory may be sent to Project Spay, P.O. Box 445 Swansea, MA 02777.
www.wjsmithfh.com
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