Peter W. Smith

Peter W. Smith, age 85, a longtime resident of Concord (MA), passed away at Carleton-Willard Village in Bedford (MA) on Saturday, August 23, 2008, after a long illness. He was the husband of the late Lucile (Edson) Smith, who died on June 17, 2008.

The son of Stanley S. and Elizabeth (Young) Smith, Mr. Smith was born in Syracuse (NY) on May 19, 1923, and raised in the nearby town of Camillus. He earned a degree in chemical engineering from R.P.I., an M.B.A. cum laude from Harvard Business School, and a J.D. cum laude from Cleveland Marshall Law School, and was admitted to the Ohio bar. He was also a veteran of World War II and the Korean War.

A devoted family man, Mr. Smith made his beloved wife Lucile, whom he married in 1946, and their four children his primary focus throughout his adult life. Mr. Smith's career as a financial executive took the family to many communities, including Syracuse (NY), Cleveland (OH), Concord (MA), Wilton (CT), and Piqua (OH). The Smiths returned to Concord (MA) permanently in 1974. The family also maintained a summer home in Brookfield (VT).

During his career Mr. Smith rose from controller to vice president finance and chief financial officer for companies that included Raytheon Co. (MA), a division of Litton Industries (CT), Copeland Corp. (OH), and Instrumentation Lab., Inc. (MA), among others.

Mr. Smith was active in church and civic organizations, including the Concord Council on Aging and the town Republican Party. He had a passion for travel and visited every continent except Antarctica. He also took a keen interest in politics and the stock market, and he enjoyed sports (especially the Red Sox), theater, and music, particularly the trumpet, for which he won a New York state championship in high school.

Mr. Smith is survived by three of his children, Andrew Smith of Ashfield (MA), Laurie Smith-Frailey of Westford (MA)�formerly of Burlington (VT)�and Pamela Schweppe of Maynard (MA); eight grandchildren, including Hannah, Jerah, and Amasa Smith of Ashfield (MA), Guthrie Falzone of Maynard (MA), Caitlin and Sander Falzone of Burlington (VT), and Jennifer and Benjamin Smith of Littleton (MA); a brother; and several siblings-in-law, nieces, and nephews. He was also the father of the late Stanley Smith of Littleton (MA), who died in March 2008.

A memorial service celebrating his life will be held on Friday, September 5, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. at the Trinitarian Congregational Church, 54 Walden Street, Concord. Relatives and friends are kindly invited.

For those who wish, contributions in Peter Smith's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Massachusetts/NH Chapter, 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472.