Robert "Bob”
Franklin Smith Sr. died peacefully in Topsham, ME on January 17, 2020 at the
age of 97 with his sons and loving and devoted wife of 73 years, Mary, at his
side. Bob was born in Burlington, Vermont on December 31, 1922, the son of
George Smith and Mary Ellen (Roach) Smith. He was a graduate of Burlington High
School and Burlington Business College in Burlington, Vermont.
Bob was an honorably discharged World
War II veteran, having served as Aviation Radioman Second Class (T) in the
United States Navy where he flew with Patrol Bombing Squadron 92 on the PBY-5A Catalina for convoy
escorts and submarine searches in the South Pacific. He was later awarded the
Vermont Distinguished Service Medal and the Vermont Veteran’s Medal for his
service.
Bob spent 30 years in the life
insurance industry and rose to District Sales Manager for Metropolitan Life
Insurance Company where he managed multiple offices in Vermont and New
Hampshire. He was a Chartered Life Underwriter (C.L.U.) graduate of the
American College of Life Underwriters, a
life member of the Metropolitan Veterans Association Field Group and served as President of the Vermont Association of Life
Underwriters. He was awarded the highest honor of "Man of the Year” by the
Vermont Association of Life Underwriters, and was also a recipient of the B.H. Zais Award for "meritorious service and unselfish
devotion to his fellow man and for advancement of the highest ideals and
principals of the profession of life underwriting.”
Volunteer positions held by Bob Smith
included, President of the Rutland Vermont Kiwanis Club, Board Member for the
Vermont Epilepsy Association, and Chairman for the Rutland, Vermont Cancer Fund
Drive for Rutland County. He was a life member of the Brunswick, Maine Elks
Lodge No. 2043, and life member of VFW Post 2197 in Topsham, Maine. Bob was a devout Catholic and served as a
Hospitality Minister at St. Charles All Saints Parish in Brunswick, ME. for
several years. Bob and Mary Smith loved country dancing, golf, cross country
skiing, and traveling. Bob also loved bowling, deep sea fishing, swimming, and going
to the beach. In his younger years, he enjoyed spending summers with family in
Maine and deer hunting with his sons in Maine and Vermont. He was an avid
sports fan who enjoyed watching the New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox, as
well as professional boxing and the Olympics.
Bob is predeceased by his parents,
George and Mary Ellen Smith, his brother, Kenneth Smith, and sisters, Irene
(Smith) Hams and Dorothy (Smith) Quaglietti.
He is survived by brother, Willard F.
Smith of Burlington, VT, sister, Shirley (Smith) Mercia (Leonard Mercia) of
Essex Junction, VT., his loving wife, Mary (Dattilio) Smith, his children,
Robert F. Smith, Jr. (Faith Baker) of Durham, ME., Thomas C. Smith (Nancy E.
Smith) of Bryan, TX., Michael D. Smith of Topsham, ME. and Tammi L. Morgan
(Donald Morgan) of York, PA.. He also leaves eight grandchildren, Trevor, Tara,
Benjamin, Meredith, Chris, Justin, Kevin and Jazymn, plus eight
great-grandchildren, Matthew, Isabella, Thomas, Sophia, Zachary, Angelina,
Caleb and Wesley, and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held Tuesday,
January 28th from 4-6 PM at Stetson’s Funeral Home 12 Federal St.
Brunswick where a funeral service will be held Wednesday, January 29th
at 10 AM.
Memorial donations may be made to the
American Cancer Society 1 Bowdoin Mill Island #300 Topsham, ME 04086. Memorial
condolences may be expressed at stetsonsfuneralhome.com