Philip Chester Smith, 65, of Bridgewater has passed away following a long struggle with cancer. Son of the late Irving H. Smith and Marion T. Smith.
Phil was born and grew up in East Bridgewater and graduated from East Bridgewater High School. He attended Fitchburg State College and graduated from Bridgewater State college.
Phil often spoke proudly of bringing the spirit of Woodstock to his town with “Smithstock” staged on the family land and the old Square Acres next to Robbins Pond. Enjoying the outdoors Phil earned the distinction of climbing Mount Washington every month of the year.
Phil proudly joined the United States Coast Guard but was profoundly disappointed that an injury during training prevented him from serving.
Phil assisted in the family business Rays’ Greenhouse and, following college, worked in sales and marketing of photocopying systems managing the Boston retail location for a major firm. Phil worked tirelessly to help establish and operate Brianna’s Breakfast Restaurant in Bridgewater.
During severe snow storms, he was known for keeping the doors open and the coffee on for the plow crews and public safety personnel battling the weather.
Phil is survived by his wife Ruthellen Sutton of Hanson and daughter Althea Tetrault of Plymouth; brothers Edward and his wife Beverly of East Bridgewater, Ray of Panama City Beach, Florida, Irving and his wife Karen of Bridgewater, Steven and Thomas of East Bridgewater; aunt and uncle Shirley and William Stinchfield of Plympton, aunt Maureen Thompson of Taunton; many cousins, nieces and nephews and his best friends Doreen Bamford and her daughter Brianna of Bridgewater.
Private services will be held.