CHICOPEE – Keith O. Smith, 83, a longtime resident of 6th Avenue in the Fairview section of Chicopee was Called Safely Home on Saturday, March 17, 2012. He passed into Eternal Life from the Soldiers Home in Holyoke where he lived since 2005, surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving daughter, Deborah and her husband, David and his wonderful caregivers. He was born in Lafayette, Indiana on October 13, 1928, a beloved son of the late Milby and Florence E. (Brunton) Smith and graduated from George Washington High School in Indianapolis. In 1948, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country during the Korean War, attaining the rank of Aviation Structural Mechanic Petty Officer Third Class. His last duty assignment brought him to Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee, where he served with Air TransRon Six. He settled in the Willimansett section of Chicopee and lived there until1960 when he and his late wife, Rose, built their home on 6th Avenue in the Fairview section of Chicopee. He furthered his education and received a certificate as an instructor in sheet metal design from Westfield State Teacher’s College. He was employed for 40 years as a sheet metal craftsman for various companies in the area and was also an instructor for their apprentice program. He later was an instructor at Putnam Vocational Technical High School in Springfield, where he retired from in 1992. He was a member of the Fifty Plus Club of the Sheet Metal Workers International Association and Sheet Metal Local Union 63. He was also a member of the Fairview American Legion Post 438 and a communicant of Saint Anne Church in Chicopee. During his leisure time, Keith enjoyed music, deep sea fishing, the Boston Celtics and driving around in his beloved Lincoln Town Car. He was predeceased by his beloved wife and best friend, Rose F. (Dascanio) Smith who was Called Home on March 4, 1997. They were married on May 3, 1952 at the former Saint Mary of the Assumption Church in Willimansett and were blessed with over 44 years of happiness together. Besides his parents and wife, he was also predeceased by his loving son, Darryl M. Smith who was Called Home on April 20, 2009. He leaves: his loving daughter and caregiver, Deborah A. Jodoin and her husband, David, of Granby; his loving daughter-in-law, JoAnn Smith of South Hadley; and his four cherished grandchildren, Derek K. Jodoin and his partner, Sarah Drew, of Sterling, MA, Daniel D. Jodoin and his partner, Jessica Bacon, of Chicopee, Danielle A. Langevin and her husband, Brian, of South Hadley, and Wesley D. Smith and his wife, Amanda, of Granby. His funeral will be held on Wednesday morning, March 21, 2012 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 8:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His burial with Military Honors will follow the Mass at Saint Stanislaus Cemetery, 800 Montgomery Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot is located in the rear of the funeral home. Because of the exceptional care Keith received at the Soldiers Home in Holyoke, his family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Holyoke Soldiers Home Recreation Department, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. For our online obituary and guest book, please visit www.stpierrephaneuf.com