WATERFORD: Robert Calvin Smith, age 75, of Waterford, and formerly of Westfield, MA, died Monday evening Nov. 17 at his home following a long illness.
He was born in Norwalk, CT, March 22, 1939, the son of Calvin and Alma Parker Smith. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Judy (Murtha). Bob was a 1962 graduate of Fairfield University and he also received a Master’s Degree in Education from Eastern State. In 1987 he started a soup kitchen in Westfield, MA. Bob was very proud that this enterprise grew to include the participation of all of the churches in Westfield. Bob trained for and ran his first marathon at age 60. Upon retirement, Bob enjoyed substitute teaching and sharing his talents as a Master Gardener with friends and family. He was a communicant of St. Agnes Church in Niantic.
He was a devoted father and is survived by his four children, Meghan and her husband Joseph Dasco of Monson, MA; Patrick and his wife Laura of Newtown, CT, Todd and his wife Amy of Westfield, MA; and Kate and her husband Travis Koske of Westfield, MA. Bob cherished his 11 grandchildren, Dylan, Christine, and Andrew Dasco; Brendan, Connor and Deirdre Smith; Claire, Tighe and Nora Smith; and Jack and Sydney Koske. He is also survived by a sister Maureen Smyth of Torrington, CT.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Agnes Church on Friday, November 21, 2014 at 11 AM. Interment will be private. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Masonicare Home Health & Hospice, Wallingford, CT. Condolence messages may be left on Bob’s memorial page at www.neilanfuneralhome.com.
