West Hartford, Connecticut
SMITH, Alfred J., Jr. Alfred J. Smith Jr., 74, of West Hartford, passed away on Sunday, (January 23, 2011). Al was the son of the late Alfred and Ruth (Pihl) Smith. Al suffered from Parkinson's disease with Lewy body dementia complicated by a subdural hematoma in 2002. Besides his wife, Doreen (Dore') (Rousseau) Smith; he is survived by three sisters, Patricia Antrim of Bradford, Il, Fay Slywa of East Windsor, CT, and Deanna Tyszka and her husband Peter Tyszka of Windsor, CT. Al has eleven nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Gail Michaels. Al worked in sales and transitioned to customer service where he found his nitch and excelled. Al was a natural in Customer Service. He was chosen to train and manage the staff of several Customer Service departments. Al served honorably and willingly in the United States Army. Al was respected and admired by those who knew him and many enjoyed his sense of humor. Al was a kind, generous, caring, hard working, cooperative, sensitive and a helpful man. His wife felt very blessed to have had Al, a husband beyond compare, as her life's companion for nearly 40 years. Al enjoyed golfing, and was an avid bowler who earned many trophies. After a lengthy home bound period, Al was placed in Saint Mary's Home and Community Health Care of West Hartford, CT, where he received excellent care. At the end of his illness, the professional services of Hospice via Masonicare assisted Saint Mary Home and Community Center and made his transition one of comfort and dignity. Donations may be made to a charity of your choice. A private memorial gathering will be scheduled at the convenience of the family. Cremation is being handled by the Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, Wethersfield, CT. To share a memory with the family, please visit www. dillonbaxter.com.
Read MoreDore',
My heart goes out to you. It was a long struggle, I know. Al was a kind and caring neighbor and so good to my mother. I was always thankful that such good people were there to help keep an eye on her. Al will be missed.
Patrice Davis
February 05, 2011 | Portsmouth, RI
To the Smith Family
My sympathies go out to your family at this time. Al was truly a wonderful individual. I had the pleasure of working with him during my years at Unisource. He was devoted to his customers and helping those of us who were just learning. My thoughts and prayers go out to you at this time.
Dorothy Cool
February 02, 2011 | New Britain, CT
I want to thank those of you who found this site and wrote tributes to my wonderful husband. I have also received many sympathy cards which showed me how much he was respected and loved by so many whose lives he touched. I know he is at peace and his 9 years of suffering are finally over. I miss him very much. I was one of the lucky ones; he was so very good to me.
He was my GG, God's Gift!
He will be celebrated on his birthday with friends and family.
Dore'
Dore Smith
February 01, 2011 | W Hartford, CT
To the Smith family,
My condolences go out to the Smith Family on the passing of Al. Al was very caring and helpful when my dad was diagnosed with cancer and had his difficult three month battle. We are remembered for the good deeds, kind words and special memories that others have of us while we our here for our own brief stay. God Bless.
Billy Edgar
January 27, 2011 | Simsbury, CT
To the Smith Family,
May god bless you and your family. Al was a very sweet and thoughtful person. The years that I had work with Al, I will always remenber. My heart and prayers go out to you
Carol Bramlett
Carol Bramlett
January 27, 2011 | Agawam, MA
Dore', Fay, Deanna and family,
May your loving memories of Al's beautiful life well lived be a comfort to you during this sad time. The world is a better place because Al graced everyone in his presence with kindness, thoughtfulness, compassion and humor. His gentle soul will live on in the hearts of those he has touched. May his soul's journey continue in peace and love which he is so deserving of.
Love & God Bless,
Cyndi
January 26, 2011
Doreen--Al was a sweet, wonderful person with a great sense of humor. My heart goes out to you and his family. Love, Denise and Bob
January 26, 2011
My condolences go out to the Smith Family on the passing of Al. He was a warm and caring individual with whom I worked with for many years. He is in a peaceful place where his serviceable syle will continue to be a positive influence.
Jeffrey Renert
January 26, 2011
Please accept our deepest sympathies on the loss of Al. Al was a neighbor of ours, a friend, teammate and confidant. Al was all of these things and more to the Bruske family for over forty years. While we will miss him greatly, we will smile and hold close the many happy memories.
Frank, Joan and Scott Bruske
January 26, 2011