Richard Henry Smith

Our beloved husband, father, and grandfather Richard Henry Smith, 93, began his peaceful Heavenly rest on Thursday, August 23, 2023 after a long and happy life with family and friends.

Born in the Maromas region of Middletown on April 8, 1930, Richard was an Army Sergeant in an Amphibious Support Regiment during the Korean conflict, a position that saw him travel to the Panama Canal and Thule Air Force Base in Greenland.

Upon returning from the service, Richard married Lucile Walden on October 20, 1956, and the two were married for nearly 67 years. He went on to work as the team foreman for the water department of the City of Middletown, and the couple raised their two children and many beloved pets while he served as constable and resident caretaker of the Mt. Higby Reservoir.

Richard loved golfing with his family and was even a member of the Hole in One Club. He enjoyed western movies and crime TV, traveling, and was proud to be "Pop Pop" to his two best buddies, Amanda and Brittany.

Richard was predeceased by his father Charles Sylvester Smith and mother Frances Lillian Johnson Smith, brother Charles Smith, and sisters Margaret Reed, Dorothy Reed and Marjorie Highers.

He is survived by his wife Lucile, daughter Charlene Linsley (Richard), son Ben Smith (Laurie), and granddaughters Amanda Smith (Seth) and Brittany Ladd (Trevor).

Family and friends may call on Tuesday, August 29 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm at the Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church Street, Middletown.  A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 pm at Doolittle Funeral Home. A burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery where full military honors will be accorded. In lieu of flowers and in honor of his love for animals, donations can be made to the Meriden Humane Society, 311 Murdock Avenue, Meriden, CT 06450. 

https://everloved.com/life-of/richard-henry-smith/obituary/

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard Henry Smith, please visit our floral store.