Donald Raymond Smith

Donald Smith 91, of Fremont NH, formerly of Kingston NH and Newburyport MA. 

Born in Durand Michigan, June 5, 1930, Donald passed away peacefully and went to be with the Lord on Friday, January 7, 2022. 

Donald graduated from Durand High School in 1948 and joined the Navy in October of the same year. He served during the Korean War, and was honorable discharged as a Machinist’s Mate Second Class, in October 1952, after traveling the world on the USS Worcester. 

In 1952 Donald went on to attend Burdette College in Boston MA, and graduated in 1954, with degrees in both Business Administration and Accounting. 

While actively serving in the Navy he met the love of his life, Helen Smith from Newburyport, and they were married on December 28, 1952 and enjoyed 56 wonderful years together. 

He dearly loved his children, their spouses, his grandchildren and great grandchildren, and never missed an opportunity to throw a baseball around in the backyard, grill hamburgers and hotdogs, and watch any kind of sporting event on television. His first love was always the Michigan teams; the Tigers, the Lions and the Wolverines, but he did grow to love Boston sports as well, especially the Red Sox and Patriots. 

In 1952 he started working for Western Electric in Andover MA from where he retired in 1985. 

He was an active member of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation and Newburyport Masons. He played a large role in all the Greek festivals, and would lend a hand whenever needed, but he especially loved manning the grill. 

In his retirement years he picked up the sport of golf where he was a natural. As an avid golfer it was hard to keep him off the course, whether locally or when wintering in Florida with Helen. 

His other passion was fishing. From ice fishing with his Greek buddies on the Parker River or bass fishing on the Merrimack in his Boston Whaler, there was always a tall tale to tell. 

Donald was a great friend to all that knew him which was apparent by all the friends he had. With his infectious smile and witty sense of humor, he always had a new joke to tell you.

Donald married Gladys Gittings in 2010 and has spent the last several years at Colonial Poplin Nursing Home in Fremont NH. 

We can’t say enough about the wonderful care the nursing staff and social staff gave him. He always had a smile and twinkle in his eye for all the ladies there. 

Donald was predeceased by his wife Helen in 2009, His son William in 1979, his brothers Bill and Tom, and his sisters, Shirley, Marge and Ruth. 

Donald is survived by his children, Marie Burbank and husband John of No Berwick ME, son Steve Smith and wife Laura of Northlake TX, son James Smith and wife Angela of Raymond NH, and son Charles and wife Kerri of No Attleboro MA. He has 12 grandchildren, Bill, Laura, Nick, Jeffrey, Alison, Brianna, Michael, Stepfani, DJ, Anthony, Brendan, and Gregory, and great grandchildren Astrid, Holli, Penni, Jilli and Nolan and many nieces and nephews in Michigan, California and around the country. 

Family and friends are invited to his Funeral Service on Thursday at 10:30 AM on January 13, 2022 at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, followed by burial at Highland Cemetery. The Twomey, LeBlanc, & Conte Funeral Home 193 High St. Newburyport, MA 01950 is assisting Mr. Smith’s family with his funeral arrangements.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Donald’s name to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church 7 Harris St. Newburyport, MA 01950.

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