NATICK: Donald F. Smith, age 84, a longtime Natick resident, died peacefully on Friday morning, February 8, 2013, at Riverbend of South Natick. Don was the devoted husband of Dorothy H. (Winters) Reebe Smith for forty years.
Born in Dorchester on January 23, 1929, he was a son of the late Harry G. and Catherine (Wingsted) Smith. After his graduation from the Dorchester High School for Boys, Don worked as a shipping clerk with H.P. Hood & Company in Boston until he entered the Army in 1951. He served in Korea as a private and was awarded a Bronze Service Star to accompany his Korean Service Medal.
Don resumed work with H.P. Hood, was married to the former Barbara Wiswall, and moved to Quincy to raise a family. When Hood relocated to the suburbs, Don and his family settled in Natick. He retired from Hood after 25 years of employment. After grieving the loss of his wife, Donald met Dorothy and they were married in 1972. Donald became employed with the Custodial Department at Wellesley College in 1975. He worked there with Dorothy until she retired in 1988; he retired eight years later.
Don excelled at candlepin bowling and played with the Natick VFW league for many years. Don enjoyed fishing, was happy to take a day trip with Dorothy to Foxwoods, and liked to visit the Natick Senior Center. An avid Boston sports fan, he particularly rooted for the Red Sox and Patriots.
He is survived by his wife Dorothy; his sister, Alice Smith Donovan; a brother, Edward Smith; a son, Arthur Smith and his wife Susan; his two daughters, Donna Marie Smith and Patricia Ann Smith; his stepchildren, Barbara Reebe Gromek, Patricia Reebe Pickerell, George Reebe and his wife Katheryn, Ronny Reebe and his wife Mary, Roy Reebe, and Linda Reebe Aurigema and her husband Andrew; and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Relatives and friends may visit with Don’s family at the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, Natick, on Saturday, Feb. 23rd from 2 - 4p.m. Burial will be private.
Donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice or the Natick Senior Center, c/o Natick Council on Aging, 117 East Central Street, Natick, MA 01760.