AGAWAM: “I’m just an old farm boy,” is how Wayne Smith described himself to people he would meet. But Wayne was so much more!
Wayne Smith, 88 years old, (1933-2022) left this world on Sunday, January 16, 2022. Wayne suffered from dementia and began slipping away from us, over the past five years.
The majority of Wayne’s life was spent in the milk business, starting on the family farm in Lamoine, Maine, where he helped to raise and milk Jersey cows. His first trip to Massachusetts, when he was a boy in 4-H, was to The Big E to show his prized Jersey. He continued in 4-H and got another prize; he met his future bride, Shirley Goodwin!
After Wayne and Shirley married, Wayne moved to Massachusetts and worked on Highlawn Farm in Lee. Later he worked at Casey Dairy in Westfield, Jewel Tea Corp., and finally at H.P. Hood in Agawam until he retired.
Wayne loved music! He was always singing, whistling, or humming a tune! He sang in groups from the time he was a little boy and later joined a church choir.
Wayne’s hobby was photography. He enjoyed taking pictures of plants and wild life at Grandmother’s Garden and Stanley Park, in Westfield. At family gatherings, Wayne wore a camera around his neck, ready to capture photos of all the action, especially those favorite candle-blowing pictures at birthday celebrations.
Wayne also took pictures at the H.P. Hood events, including taking individual photos of kids who sat on Santa’s lap, giving him their prized wish lists. Weddings were the next step in Wayne’s photography. Shirley still finds negatives and photos from time to time of the happy couples.
Summer vacations were taken every year to Mount Desert Island in Maine, to visit the places where he and Shirley grew up, and to see the many relatives remaining in the area.
Wayne was a quiet guy who loved to make folks laugh! His laughter was infectious, and at times devilish. His quick wit continued throughout the years, even into his years with dementia. Even though we didn’t always understand the punch line, we still all laughed together.
Most of Wayne’s last year was spent living at The Atrium at Cardinal Drive in Agawam. He loved to wander around, sporting a jaunty hat and sunglasses. Wayne’s family would like to thank all the wonderful people at the Atrium who took such good care of him. He truly felt at home and happy there! Thank you also to the caring people at Beacon Hospice Care in Springfield who helped to make his last weeks and days as comfortable as possible.
Wayne was a lucky man to have such a long, good life. It is no wonder with the many 4-leafed clovers he found over the years! He would reach down and pick them so easily that it always seemed like magic!
Wayne Phillips Smith was predeceased by his parents, Carl Dewey Smith and Clara Phillips Smith, and by his brother Carl Smith. He leaves one brother, Marshall Smith in Missouri, and a sister, Carol Schwartz in New Hampshire. Wayne leaves his wife of 66 years, Shirley Goodwin Smith. They had 4 daughters, listed with their spouses: Susan and Robert Brennan in Belchertown, MA; Kathy and Carl Horensky in Westfield, MA; Joanne and Paul Hentnick in Blandford, MA; and Julia and Joseph Salafia in Windham, NH.
Wayne and Shirley were blessed with 7 grandchildren. They include: Kristopher and Jonathan Ciccarelli, Jessica and Paul Hentnick Jr., Lauren and Alex Yee, and Cassandra Salafia. Kris also gave Wayne and Shirley 3 great-grandchildren: Celia and Dylan Ciccarelli, and Alma Afonso.
Due to the pandemic, there will be a private family celebration of Wayne’s life. His remains will be brought “home” to Lamoine, Maine at a future date. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the UCC Second Congregational Church, PO Box 814, Westfield, MA. 01086. Southwick Forastiere Funeral and Cremation is entrusted with final arrangements. www.forastierefuneralhome.com
