Obituary of Paul F. Smith Sr.

Paul Francis Smith Sr., 81, of South Peabody, died peacefully Friday at the NSMC – Salem Hospital after a brief illness. He was the husband of the late Isabelle “Betty” (McManus) Smith. He was born in Somerville on March 21, 1927, the son of the late John and Catherine F. (Murphy) Smith and was raised and educated there. Following high school, he entered the US Navy and served in the Asiatic and Pacific theatre operations and the Philippine liberation during WW 11. After his discharge, he began working at the former A.C. Lawrence Leather Company in Peabody and attended Northeastern University evening school. He received his degree from Northeastern and stayed at Lawrence Leathers as an industrial engineer for over 25 years until his retirement. He was active in the community as a member and past president of the A.O.H. Div. 11 of Peabody. He was also a founding father of the Peabody Babe Ruth League and served as President of the league and coached the AOH Babe Ruth Team for many years. He started and relished a weekly family dinner night on Monday with his family and was an avid reader, especially on the civil war history books. He enjoyed Irish music and taking vacations on Cape Cod but his best treasure was being with his family and grandchildren. He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Susan Smith Jr. of Salem, three daughters and two sons-in-law, Laurie Smith of Lynn, Cathy and Michael Boylan of Somersworth, NH and Maura and Manny Santos of Peabody, his seven grandchildren, Christopher, Michelle and Carolyn Boylan, Craig, Keith and Kevin Santos and Shyla Smith, his godchild, Barbara Allen of Swampscott and several nieces and nephews. A Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 9:30 until 11:00 AM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 82 Lynn St., Peabody facility followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Ann’s Church, Lynn St., Peabody at 11:30 AM. Burial will be in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Hospice of the North Shore, 75 Sylvan St., Suite 102-B, Danvers, MA 01923 in his memory.