LEICESTER: Edward B. Smith, Jr. 82 of Charlton St., in the Rochdale section of Leicester, died Monday, Nov. 2 in UMASS Memorial Medical Center in Worcester.
He leaves his wife of 58 years, Jean M. (Guinee) Smith, her son Carl E. Smith of Pittsboro, N.C., a brother John Smith of Webster, two sisters Edna Kalukin of Medway and Dorothy Mendez of Los Angeles, four grandchildren; Evan, Lilianna, Holly & Kelsey Smith, nephews Jeffrey & Andrew Kalukin andJoseph Mendez.
Ed served his country with the U.S. Navy Seabees for 22 years. Tours of duty included Antarctica, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Port Hueneme, California, and Vietnam. He received two bronze stars for his service to his country. He retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer in 1971 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He later worked at Johnson Steel & Wire in Worcester for 12 years and retired from Flexcon in Spencer after 10 years of employment in 1993.
He enjoyed gardening, reading biographies, and travel.
Born in Worcester, he was the son of Edward B. and Ella (Lawrence) Smith, Sr. He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 7556 and the Shannon-Davis American Legion Post 205 both in Rochdale.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, Nov. 6 at 11 a.m. in the MORIN FUNERAL HOME, 1131 Main St., Leicester. Burial will follow with Military Honors in Greenville Baptist Cemetery, Rochdale. A calling hour will precede the service on Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Veterans, Inc., 69 Grove St., Worcester, Ma. 01605.