Obituary of Frederick H. Smith

"Palmer-Frederick H. "Smitty" Smith, Sr., 84, passed away March 25, 2008 at the Holyoke Soldiers Home. Born November 2, 1923 in Mystic, CT, he was the son of the late Charles M. and Ethel E. (Osborne) Smith. Fred has lived in Palmer since 1946, previously residing in CT. He served his country during WWII in the U.S. Army 41st Infantry Division where he received a Bronze Star. Fred continued his service to his country serving in the National Guard for 3 years. He previously was a driver for Worthmore Feeds and Capital Cleaners. After 21 years of employment as a rigger and crane operator, he retired from Warren Pumps. Smitty was past president of the Lake Thompson Civic Association and a 55-year member of the Palmer Grange and of all 7 Degrees. Fred will be greatly missed by his wife of 53 years, Virginia (Russell), along with his children Frederick H. Jr. and his wife Jeanne of Palmer, Linda M. Lewis and her husband Jeffrey of Wilbraham, and Terry Vaill and her husband Randall Sr. of Palmer. Fred also leaves his siblings George, Nathan, Robert, Bessie and Charlotte all of CT as well as 6 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Visitation will be held Sunday from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at the Beers & Story Palmer Funeral Home. A memorial service will be Monday at 10:00 a.m. at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Ware followed by burial in Oak Knoll Cemetery in Palmer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association 264 Cottage St., Springfield, MA 01104 or to the Holyoke Soldiers Home, 110 Cherry St., Holyoke, MA 01040. "