Richard S. Smith

Richard S. Smith, 79 PARSONSFIELD -- Richard S. Smith, 79, of Smith Road died on March 11, 2009, at the Maine Medical Center in Portland after a short illness. He was born Jan. 19, 1930, the son of Ralph and Ada Sturgis Smith. He grew up on the family farm in the Taylor City area of West Parsonsfield. He attended the South Effingham School, and the Doe Mtn. School, both one room elementary schools. He graduated from Parsonsfield Seminary, and was the sole graduate in 1948. Richard worked hard as a farmer and a truck driver his whole life. He still farmed the five generation family homestead in Parsonsfield until very recently. He was also a long time public servant. He served as Chairman of the Parsonsfield Zoning Board of Appeals, member of the Parsonsfield Budget Committee, Conservation Committee, and was currently the town Fire Warden. He also served as Chief of the Effingham Volunteer Fire Dept. Richard was first elected as Parsonsfield Road Commissioner at the age of 18, and served that post off and on for many years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, visits to the family camp on Ragged Lake, and especially loved all family gatherings with his large family. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a son, Stephen E. Smith. He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Ruth Laitinen Smith of Parsonsfield; a son, David Smith and wife Roberta of Rockport, two daughters, Linda Childs and husband Edwin 'Pete' of Limington, and Sharon Hasty and husband Stephen of Parsonsfield; 11 grandchildren, Rhonda Hill, Jennifer Robinson, Sarah Jerome, Darren Smith, Andrew Smith, Jason Smith, Richard Blanchet, Daniel Blanchet, Adelle Reno, Ericka Hartford and Alexandra Miller; 21 great-grandchildren and a large loving extended family. Visiting hours will be on Sunday, March 15, from 12:30 to 2 p.m., with a funeral service directly following at 2 p.m. at the Watson Funeral Home, 71 Maple St., Cornish. Pastor Kim Burnell will officiate. Burial will be at Maplewood Cemetery in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Friends of Par-Sem 'Dormitory Fund' P.O. Box 163 Parsonsfield, Maine 04047 Richard S. Smith