Laconia-Walter C. Smith, 81, of 1480 Old North Main Street, died at the Peabody Home, Franklin on Saturday June 16, 2012.
Walter was born July 12, 1930 in Laconia, the son of the late Bernard and Madelynde (Smith) Smith. He had resided in Gilford, Laconia, and Florida. He was a graduate of Laconia High School.
Prior to his retirement in 1995, Walter had been employed at Pike Industries for forty years as Executive Vice President. From 1990-1994, he owned his own consulting business.
Among Walters many passions and interest were flying his airplane, playing shuffleboard, fishing and boating, and watching the birds.
Walter was a member of the Gilford Grange and was a former president and member of the Belknap Snowmobile Club for many years. He had been a pilot since 1946.
Walter was a past president of the New Hampshire Good Roads Association, a former State Director of the National Asphalt Paving Association and a Director and Life Member of the New Hampshire One Hundred Club. He also served on the Laconia Licensing Board, served on the Laconia Police Commission for 17 years with a period of time as chairman, was a Director of the Lakes Region YMCA, Treasurer of the N. H. Safety Council, Inc., and served as Director of the Home Bank from 1979 to 1991.
Besides his parents Walter is also predeceased by a brother, B. Thurston Smith. Walter is survived by his wife of 61 years, Priscilla A. (Sewell) Smith of Laconia; two daughters, Deborah Ann Wales and her husband Gordon of Raleigh, N. C. and Sheryl Noble DeNauw and her husband Daniel of Laconia; two grandchildren, Tyler DeNauw and his wife Laurie of Laconia, and Cooper DeNauw of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; three great grandchildren, Parker, Madelyn, and Charlotte DeNauw all of Laconia; a brother James S. Smith and his wife Claire of Gilford as well as many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held from 4:00pm -7:00pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 in the Carriage House of the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia.
A Liturgy of the Word will be celebrated on Thursday, June 21, 2012, 10:00AM at St. Andre Bessette Parish-Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue, Laconia.
Burial will follow in the family lot in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Garfield Street, Laconia.
For those who wish, the family suggests expressions of sympathy in Walter’s name be made to Peabody Home, Activity Fund, 24 Peabody Place, Franklin, NH 03235 or to the New Hampshire Humane Society, P.O. Box 572, Laconia, NH 03247.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia is assisting the family of Walter. For more information and to view an online memorial please visit to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.