Dennis R. Smith

Dennis R. Smith, a life-long resident of the area, passed away on Wednesday, May 14 in Concord after enduring a long illness. Born one of seven children to his loving parents Herb and Helen Smith on March 3,1951. Dennis was raised in Belmont until he was married to his wife Sharon (Nelson), and remained married for 53 years.

Growing up Dennis' favorite memories included learning from his father how to fish and drive cars way too fast down the Laconia Bypass. Dennis enjoyed driving down the open road and made many road trips across the United States - always in the driver's seat. Dennis also enjoyed tinkering with things to figure out how they worked or how they could be improved, and listening to a vast collection of music on vinyl while completing projects around the house.

Dennis started his career by following in his father's footsteps working at Weeks Dairy and then spent the majority of his career with the New Hampshire Department of Transportation's Bridge Maintenance Bureau. After decades of delivering construction materials to every corner of the state, Dennis was proud that he always could tell you the best route between any two points in the state and would volunteer the best places to stop and take a quiet break.

But his favorite drives were the short trips around the neighborhood helping his boys deliver their newspapers in the car on cold and rainy afternoons in order to keep his boys warm, and the newspapers dry.

Dennis was predeceased by his beloved wife Sharon, his parents, and siblings Butch Cora, and Wayne.

He leaves behind many cherished memories with his sons: Joshua Bourassa (Andrew); Johnathan Smith (Raqual); and his four grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Eugene, Jean Marie, and Judy; nieces and nephews, neighbors, and everyone else who knew him as Uncle D.

In lieu of flowers, his family requests you consider a donation to one of his favorite charities: the Franklin Visiting Nurses Association or the New Hampshire Food Bank.

Calling hours will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 22nd at Smart Memorial Home, 584 West Main Street in Tilton.

A burial for both Dennis and his wife Sharon will be held on Friday, May 23rd at Park Cemetery in Tilton at 12 noon.

Love you to the moon and back, again and again.

For more information, please visit www.smartmemorialhome.com.