Joseph Robert Smith, 60, a longtime Tewksbury resident, passed away on Saturday, June 8 at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington after a courageous 2 year battle with cancer with his family by his side. He was the beloved husband of Karen (Kearnan) Smith with whom he had spent the better part of his life.
Joe was born in Lowell on August 2, 1963, a son of the late Leonard A. Smith and Judith A. (Scott) Smith of Tewksbury. He was raised and educated in Tewksbury and graduated from the Tewksbury Memorial High School with the class of 1981. He furthered his education at Western Massachusetts University and later achieved his Masters in Criminal Justice at UMass Lowell.
He also served his country in the United States Army for a number of years before his honorable discharge. After his military service ended, he joined the workforce in the cybersecurity field as an information security officer, mostly with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. Additionally he was employed with several federal law enforcement agencies including the US Veteran’s Administration.
Along with an extreme dedication to his professional career he also enjoyed shooting and was a member of the Woburn Rod and Gun Club and the Tewksbury Knights of Columbus. He also took great pride in his ability as an umpire at the collegiate level. However, throughout his life and over 35 years in federal law enforcement nothing meant more to him than his family.
In addition to his dear mother, Judith, and his beloved wife, Karen, he is survived by his 2 sons, Cameron N. Smith and Patrick P. Smith, both of Tewksbury, his 2 sisters, Lori Bergquist - Darling and her husband, Daniel, of Royalston and Sara Corbin and her husband, Michael, of Marlborough. His 2 sisters in law, Dorothy Weatherhead and her husband, Robert, of Florida and Sally Evers of Rhode Island and several nieces and nephews.
On Friday, June 14, 2024 all are welcome to attend his visitation from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the Tewksbury Funeral Home, 1 Dewey Street, Tewksbury 978-851-2061 and his funeral Mass, which will be offered at 11:30 a.m. at St. William’s Church, 1351 Main Street, Tewksbury, MA followed by procession for burial at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Uxbridge, MA with full military honors. The family welcomes flowers or asks you to please consider a memorial donation in Joe’s name to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation at https://t2t.org/ or a charity of your choice.