Robert F. Smith, Sr. Obituary (1922 - 2020)

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