John W. Smith

John W. Smith, 83
    WATERBORO -- John W. Smith, 83, well respected friend and public servant of Waterboro, died on Thursday, April 17, 2008 doing what he loved most, tinkering in his shop on one of his tractor John was born at Ross Corner in Shapleigh, Feb. 9, 1925 a son of Harry A. and Martha J. (Stone) Smith and attended Limington Academy. Mr. Smith served in the United States Army with the Company B 747th Tank Battalion and obtained the rank of Technician, Fifth Grade. He also received the Bronze Star, a Purple Heart and many other commendations for his valiant efforts. Upon his return from active duty, John married Josephine Jody Ham and they shared 44 years of marriage before her death in 1994. Later in life, John received his diploma when the State of Maine recognized our World War II veterans and the sacrifices they made; as many of them left high school to serve.
     John was always a hard worker and he worked in the woods in the Waterboro - Sanford area from 1946 until 1957. Following that, he began a long career in the automotive industry. First was his employment with Mercury Garage on Lower Main Street in Sanford for 5 years. From there he went to work for Westcott Ford for 14 years before he bought Kallis Garage in Alfred in 1976. He owned and operated the garage until he retired in 1997. But, knowing John, he needed to be around people and he took a part time job at Hannaford's in Waterboro. He enjoyed running the bottle room, bagging groceries, but most of all, he wanted to take care of the women!
     Firefighting was synomous with John Smith. He began a lifelong love of serving on the Waterboro Fire and Rescue Departments since 1952. He served as fire chief, assistant chief and took many fire investigation courses under Lawrence Dolby in Saco. John was an active member of the York County Fire Fighter's Association; serving as Past President and was on the Board of Directors for over 20 years. He was an Honorary Member of the Waterboro Fire Department, Alfred Fire Department and York County Fire Department. He was a life member of the Wardens Association. Mr. Smith also served as a town selectman for six years.
     John was a member and Past Commander of the Brown Emmons Post # 134 American Legion, a lifetime member of the V.F.W. as well as a longtime member of the Masonic Lodge # 55, both of Alfred. He was a Past Master of the lodge in 1966 and in 2001 - 2002. John enjoyed hunting and fishing and his dog Whiskers, a mini- schnauzer.
     Family and friends are invited to call on Monday, April 21st. from 4 - 6 p.m. at the Autumn Green Funeral Home, 47 Oak Street, in Alfred. A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at the North Waterboro Community Baptist Church with Rev. Timothy Hutchins, officiating. Committal Prayers and burial will be later at Pine Grove Cemetery in Waterboro.
     Survivors include his daughter and her husband, Linda Tetreau and Richard of Alfred; his granddaughter, Patricia Tetreau of Waterboro; and his sister, Mary L. Seibert of Eliot. He was predeceased by two brothers, Stephen in 1994 and Donald in 2007.
     To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.autumngreenfuneralhome.com. The Autumn Green Funeral Home is respectfully handling arrangements.
     In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made
    in John's memory to
    Waterboro Fire and Rescue
    24 Townhouse Road
    E. Waterboro, ME 04030
    
    John W. Smith