Paxton—Ralph D. Smith, Jr., 79, died Sunday, July 6, 2008, in UMass Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family. He leaves his wife of 18 years, Joan C. (Nicholas) Smith; a son, Gary S. Smith of Berlin; 2 daughters, Gail Reyell and her fiancé John Lynch of Worcester and Suzanne M. Pisinski and her husband Donald of Sterling; 2 sisters, Carol L. Wilder and her husband Howard of Amherst and Joyce M. Messier and her husband Leo of Worcester; 6 grandchildren, Christina H. Smith of Worcester, Allison C. Murphy and her husband Ryan of Sturbridge, Stephen D. Smith of Worcester, Jamie C. Reyell of Worcester, Tyler D. Reyell of Worcester, and Caroline M. Pisinski of Sterling; several nieces and nephews and his beloved cat, Emma. His first wife of 37 years and the mother of their children, Marjorie C. (Leach) Smith, died in 1988.
Ralph was born in Worcester, son of Ralph D. and Mary J. (Parrott) Smith. He was owner of R.D. Smith Meat Co. and Poppys Ice Cream. He was a graduate of South High School, graduated from Norwich University with Biology degree. He was past president of the Webster Square Business Assn. and the Worcester County Norwich Alumnae., a founder and former president of the Robert Goddard Lions Club, and past charter president of the Webster Square Lions Club. He was past Deputy District Governor of the Lions District 33A. He was a 55-year member of the Dewitt Clinton Lodge AF & AM in Northfield, VT. He served in the Army during the Korean War as commanding officer of the Company C 762nd Tank Battalion 94th Infantry Div. He coached Jesse Burkett Little League and the West Side Babe Ruth League. He was a member of the choirs of Bethany Congregational Church and First Congregational Church of Paxton and loved to sing at special occasions. Ralph loved music and painting, all sports—especially the Red Sox—and most importantly his grandchildren.
Calling hours will be Wednesday, 5-8 p.m. in Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln Street, Worcester. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Thursday 1:00 p.m. in First Congregational Church of Paxton. Private burial will be in Mount Vernon Cemetery, West Boylston. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The First Congregational Church of Paxton, 1 Church St., Paxton, MA 01612 or St. Mary’s Assumption Albanian Church, 535 Salisbury St., Worcester MA 01609. For directions and on-line condolences, please click on link below.