Obituary of Richard Francis Smith

Richard F. Smith, 71, husband of Carol (Atkinson) Smith of Peabody, died unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday. Born in Salem, he was the son of the late Henry F. and Frances (Wendell) Smith. He grew up there, and lived in Peabody for many years. Mr. Smith enlisted in the United States Army at the time when the Vietnam War began in the early 1960’s. He worked for New England Plastics in Woburn for many years, first as a Machine Operator and then as Foreman before he retired nine years ago. Richard enjoyed going to the American Legion Herman A. Spears—Post 331 in Beverly, traveling to Mouson Lake in Maine with his family, and Lincoln Park which is now Twin Rivers in Rhode Island. He enjoyed traveling to Florida, cruising, and was an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and rugged independence in how he lived his adventure in life. He is survived by: his wife, Carol (Atkinson) Smith of Peabody, with whom he would have celebrated 48 years of marriage next week; four sons Thomas & his wife Jane Smith and William & his wife Margie Smith both of Peabody, Richard & his wife Kelly Smith of Winter Haven, FL, and David Smith & his partner Fred Abate of Marlborough; three grandchildren, Robert Smith of VA, Erin Smith of Peabody, and Kristie Tapley of FL; two sisters, Nancy De Almeida of Rowley and Barbara & Whitney Jackson of NH, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Frank Smith. A visitation will be held on Sunday from 2 – 4 P.M. in the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St. location, Peabody. A Funeral Service will be held on Monday at 10:30 A.M. in the funeral home, to which relatives and friends are kindly invited. Cremation will follow the ceremony. Memorial donations may be made to the MGH-North Shore Cancer Center, 102 Endicott St., Danvers, MA 01923.