Southwick- Ralph “Buddy” Smith, 83, of Southwick died Friday in a local hospital. He was born in Boston on July 13, 1934, son of the late Lillian (Weiner) Hanscom. Ralph was a 1952 graduate of Boston Tech High School, a 1960 graduate of Salem State College, and received his masters from Framingham State College in 1970. In February 1954 Ralph volunteered for service in the United States Army. Ralph was employed as a teacher in the Needham, MA schools for over 20 years, retiring in 1990. He also taught in the Newton and Dover-Sherborn School Districts. Ralph was a former member of the Needham Congregational Church and more recently, was an attendee of Hope Community Church of Feeding Hills. He has lived in Southwick since 2008. Ralph is remembered as a beloved teacher with a quick wit and an innate gift for teaching. His family and friends not only thought of him as witty and full of stories but also as a kind and gentle man. Ralph was predeceased by his loving wife, Francena (Warren) Smith, in 2014. Ralph is survived by two daughters, Pamela Smith Paquette and her husband Paul of East Wareham, and Susan Kochanek and her husband Louis of Westfield. He leaves two grandchildren, Emily and Peter. He is also survived by a brother Emmet Smith and his wife Elizabeth, and sister Patricia Pages. He was predeceased by a sister, Ethel Delgado. A memorial service will be held on Monday, June 11, at 10:00 am at Hope Community Church, 152 South Westfield St., Feeding Hills, MA. Calling hours will precede the service at the church at 9:00. Burial will follow the service at the Mass Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad St., Westfield is in charge of arrangements. firtion-adams.com
