Richard F. “Dick” Smith, Sr., 86, of South Windsor and formerly of East Hartford, loving husband of 56 years of the late Elizabeth J. “Betty” (Tupper) Smith, peacefully went to join his beloved wife in Heaven on Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at his home with his caring family nearby. Born in Hartford on January 26, 1933, a son of the late John P. and Frances (Zahner) Smith, Dick was a resident of East Hartford for 72 years prior to moving to South Windsor over three years ago. Dick was a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and was a local Salesman and Installer in the Oil, Heat, and Plumbing industry in the Greater Hartford area for 40 years. He was a talented woodworker and an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and golf. He was a former member of both the East Windsor Sportsmen’s Club and Andover Gun Club. Dick was also a long-time former coach and manager of the I.O.O.F. baseball teams in the East Hartford National Little League. Most of all, Dick was a loyal fan of the Boston Red Sox and New York Giants, and a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who cherished his time with his entire family.
Dick is survived by three sons, Richard F. “Rick” Smith and his wife, Barbara, of Manchester, James P. Smith of Middletown, Brian W. Smith and his wife, Cheryl, of Manchester; two daughters, Sharon Wood of Waterford, Sandra T. Mathiau and her husband, Thomas, of East Hartford; eight special grandchildren, Jeremy Smith and his wife Katherine, Meagan Dorin and her husband Andrew, Morgan Smith, Jordan Smith, Katie Cote and her husband Chris, Kevin Pasquaretta and his wife Michelle, Bryan Mathiau and his wife Lauren, Zachary Mathiau and his wife Shannon; six adored great-grandchildren and one soon-to-be born great-granddaughter. He also leaves three sisters, Judith DeGiro and her husband, Sal, of Arizona, Virginia Ficaro of Norwich, Cynthia Beaulieau of East Hartford; many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Along with his beloved wife and parents, Dick was predeceased by a son, Douglas J. Smith of Vermont; and two brothers, John Smith of Georgia, and William Smith of Kansas.
Funeral service will be Monday (February 4th) at 11 am at the D’ESOPO-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, (Section R-2), Burnside Avenue, East Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel on Sunday afternoon (February 3rd) from 12 noon – 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Richard’s name may be made to the COPD Foundation, 3300 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Miami, FL 33134. Dick’s family would like to extend their sincere gratitude and appreciation to the entire staff (former and present) at the Village at Buckland Court in South Windsor where Dick resided for the past three plus years, his dedicated caregivers Dee, Ariel, and Jeff, along with Dr. Karen Cadman, and the nurses and staff of Beacon Hospice for their professionalism, care, love, and compassion given to Dick and his entire family. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopoeh.com.
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