Obituary of Robert J. Smith

Robert J. Smith passed quietly into eternal life, surrounded by his family on March 20, 2011. Born September 2, 1921, Bob was the son of the late William and Mary Smith. He attended Saint Mary's School and New Britain High School, graduating in 1939. After attending Central Connecticut State College, he was hired by Pratt and Whitney until being drafted into the United States Army in January of 1944. He earned the Combat Infantryman Badge during fighting in the Rhineland in 1945. Returning home in May of 1946, Bob married Ruth Lynch on February 23, 1949. He joined the New Britain Fire Department in 1949 and retired as a captain after 26 years of service. Over the next ten years, Bob worked at the Buccini Hardware Store. In his later years, he worked part-time for the Farrell Funeral Home where he cultivated many lasting friendships. A gifted handyman, Bob enjoyed working on projects big and small and even built a large room addition to his parents' house. Bob enjoyed driving trips with his wife Ruth, traveling throughout the Northeast from the rocky coast of Maine to the Jersey shore and up into eastern Canada. In the years since Ruth's passing, Bob stayed active locally, volunteering as a literacy coach, taking short trips throughout the state, attending Rock Cat games, tending to his garden and occasionally visiting Boston and New York. Bob cherished his children, grandchildren and thoroughly enjoyed watching his four great-grandchildren race around his house. Christmas Eve was always special as he would gather the family together in a holiday tradition. Bob was a man of the utmost integrity and will be missed by all who knew him. A member of St. Francis of Assisi parish, Bob attended Mass daily until his illness left him housebound. We pray that he has received his eternal reward for a fruitful life. Bob was preceded in death by his wife Ruth (Lynch) Smith, his son Michael, his brother John, his sisters, Jean and Margaret. He is survived by his daughters, Mary Smith of Willimantic, Maureen Trudel and husband David of Farmington; his sons Mark and wife Pat of Berlin, MA, Stephen of Plainville and his long-time girlfriend Jean Trzasko of New Britain; his daughter-in-law Sheila Smith of New Britain, his sister-in-law Sally Smith of Newington and his brother-in-law Bill Flanagan of Elmira, NY. Bob leaves four grandchildren: Kelly Trudel, Patricia Franzese, Sarah Arborio, and Travis Smith, four great-grandchildren and several loving nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 9:00 AM at the Farrell Funeral Home, 110 Franklin Sq., New Britain with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. Francis of Assisi Church, New Britain. Burial with full military honors will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, New Britain. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday evening from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Covenant House, Times Square Station, P.O. Box 731, New York City, NY 10108-0900.