David S. Smith, 83, of Wethersfield passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 20, 2017 after a rich, full life in which he was much loved by his family and friends. At his side throughout was his beloved wife of 58 years, Dorothy (Walsh) Smith.
Dave was born in Erie, Pa., on July 3, 1934, and moved to Wethersfield as a young boy with his parents, the late Howard and Hylda (Botsford) Smith.
Dave was an intensely curious and clever man with a kind soul, a playful sense of humor and a keen mind for all things mechanical. He loved to figure out how things worked and could fix just about anything that crossed his path. He took apart his first car engine at 15. He later built hot rods and repaired tanks for the Army in Germany.
He married Dorothy in 1959 and served two hitches in the Army before returning home to start his new family. Dave worked for many years as a draftsman/designer for Underwood Typewriter and Kahn and Co. He also worked as job estimator at Ward Manufacturing.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons, Glenn Smith of Charleston S.C. and Paul Smith of Wethersfield; his daughter-in-law, Kitty Smith and granddaughter, Kaden Smith, both of Charleston; two brothers-in-law and sisters-in law, Richard & Margaret “Peggy” Walsh of Wethersfield, and Eilleen & Peter Crapulli of Marlborough; as well as five nieces.
Friends and relatives may call on the family Thursday, Oct. 26, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 34 Beaver Road, Wethersfield. A tribute to Dave’s life will follow at 11 a.m. in the funeral home. Interment will follow in Rose Hill Memorial Park (Section 24), 580 Elm St., Rocky Hill. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., Rocky Hill, CT 06067. His family also wishes to extend its gratitude to the Hartford HealthCare hospice team and the Wethersfield Infusion Center staff for their wonderful, compassionate care. To extend online condolences please visit farleysullivan.com.