Richard Anthony Smith

Richard Anthony Smith passed away surrounded by his loving family in his home on Monday, August 14th 2017 in Pepperell, MA due to complications following a long battle with esophageal cancer. He was 80.

Richard was born on December 7, 1936 in Providence, RI to his parents, Henry and Annie (Heywood) Smith. He is a 1954 graduate of Mount Pleasant High School and a graduate of Johnson and Wales College. Richard proudly served his country as a Sergeant in the United States Army between 1960 and 1966. Serving 2 years in Germany assigned to the 4th Armored Division A Company 144th Signal Battalion.  He married Mary Patricia Lyons on June 19, 1965. They lived in Providence, RI, Attleboro, MA and Narragansett, RI, until they settled in Pepperell, MA in 1977. He worked at The Foxboro Company, 3M, and then later worked for GTE Sylvania until retirement.

Richard enjoyed watching his grandchildren and their sporting events, working in his yard, cooking, the Patriots and Red Sox, researching his family history, walking his dog and working on DIY projects with the motto of, “Don’t throw it away, I can fix it.” Growing up he also enjoyed competitive cycling and riding his horse Steelwings.

He is survived by his wife of  52 years Mary Patricia (Lyons) Smith  of Pepperell  his son Richard and his wife, Stephanie of Merrimack, NH;  son Brian and his wife, Jennifer of Shrewsbury, MA; his favorite daughter Rose,  of Nashua, NH; his 4 grandchildren; Hannah, Matthew, Timothy and Katelyn; his brother Dennis Smith and his wife, Jane of Johnston, RI; his sister-in-law Jean Smith and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brother, Charles Smith, his brother Irving Smith, his sister Marion Smith Jergensen and his beloved dog Zack.