John T. "Jack" Smith

John T. “Jack” Smith, age 84, of Somerset, passed away, Monday, March 19, 2012 in Charlton Memorial Hospital. He was the devoted husband of Patricia F. (Kiley) Smith to whom he had been married for 62 years.

He was born in Fall River, the son of the late John and Anna (Murray) Smith, he spent in youth in Fall River before moving to Somerset 52 years ago. A graduate of BMC Durfee High School, he served in the United States Navy during World War II. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, Mr. Smith was employed with the Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. in Fall River. He then was the Photographer for the Anchor of the Fall River Diocese, the Fall River Herald News, WJAR Channel 10 and later became the Chief Photographer at WLNE Channel 6 News in Providence for 28 years.

Jack was the go to photographer, the daredevil seeking to capture the news. Some of his fondest memories as a photographer were riding along with the Blue Angels, the ABC National Media Pool Photographer, a pool photographer taking aerial shots of the America’s Cup in Newport, Red Sox Spring Training, the Mill Fire’s in Fall River on a fire department ladder taking photos, a book was published with Jack’s photographs of the 1954 Hurricane, and memorable photos of him chronicling the building of the Newport Bridge from high above.

Involved in his community, Mr. Smith was a Lt. Commander in the Coast Guard Auxiliary, current President of the Fall River Philanthropic Society, member of Somerset Access TV, a member of the Somerset Democratic Committee and the Over the Hill Gang. He enjoyed boating, photography, current events and could be seen in the front row of many of his grandchildren’s sporting events

Surviving in addition to his wife of 62 years are their four loving children, Robert S. Smith and his wife Carol of Ipswich, Suffolk, England, John T. “Jack” Smith Jr. and his wife Julie of Somerset, Paul E. Smith and his wife Patricia of Cromwell, CT and Massachusetts State Representative Patricia A. Haddad and her husband Sam of Somerset; two sisters Shirley Miller of Somerset, OH and Jean Ferencz of Somerset; ten grandchildren, twelve great- grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and longtime dear friends. He was also the brother of the late Edna York, Ann Gondela, and Florence Brake.

Mr. Smith’s family would like to acknowledge Dr. Jay Shackne, the Artificial Kidney Center in Fall River, the Massachusetts General Hospital, the Southcoast Hospitals Group and the Somerset Ridge for their professionalism and loving manner in which they cared for Jack over the years.

His funeral will be held Friday, March 23, 2012 at 10am from the WARING-SULLIVAN HOME OF MEMORIAL TRIBUTE AT ROSE E. SULLIVAN 866 County St., Somerset followed by his funeral mass at 11am in St. Thomas More Church 386 Luther Ave., Somerset. Visiting Hours will be held Thursday from 3 to 8pm. Memorial contributions in his honor may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 85 Astor Ave, Suite 2, Norwood, MA 02081. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Somerset.