Paxton—Dr. W. Clifford Smith died peacefully on Friday, March 28, 2008, at Memorial Hospital. He was born in Verona, PA on May 11, 1917, son of Ethel P. (Neely) and Parry Knox Smith. Dr. Smith graduated from Verona High School, valedictorian of his class. He received his B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh and his Medical Degree from Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons. He was an intern at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA and married Margie Borland on May 22, 1943. He was a WWII veteran who served in Guam and the Pacific Theater as an Army doctor. He began as a Lt. and was honorably discharged as a Major.
He also received postgraduate training at Western Pennsylvania Hospital (Pediatric Resident) and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital (Pediatric Resident). He was in private practice in Champaign, IL (1948-1957) and in Worcester (1957-1980). He was a member of the Worcester County Medical Society, Mass. Medical Society, and New England Pediatric Society. He was on staff of Worcester Memorial Hospital (Chief of Pediatrics), Hahnemann Hospital, Saint Vincent Hospital, and University of Massachusetts Hospital. He served as Asst. Professor Pediatrics, UMass Medical School (1973-1980). Dr. Smith was instrumental in starting the neonatal unit for the emergency care of newborns at Memorial Hospital. He was the proprietor of the Chocolate Smith of Paxton and Tatnuck Square.
He is survived by his wife, Margie A. (Borland) Smith; two daughters, Susan Harrington and P.K. Smith; a son-in-law, Michael Moschos; a granddaughter, Kate Harrington; and two step-grandsons, Michael Moschos and Charles Moschos.
A memorial service will be held Paxton Congregational Church, April 11, at 1 p.m. Burial of ashes will be in Oakmont Cemetery, Oakmont, PA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Paxton Congregational Church, 1 Church St., Paxton, MA 01612 or UMass Memorial Foundation, Newborn Intensive Care Unit, PO Box 2795, Worcester MA 01613-9938. Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln St., Worcester is directing arrangements. For on-line condolences, please click on link below.