George F. Smith

George F. Smith 

A Life Devoted to Education, Family and Community

George F. Smith, aged 93, passed away on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. Born on August 3, 1930, in Pawtucket, RI, to George and Gertrude (Fox) Smith, George led a life marked by dedication to education, family, and community.

George was predeceased by his beloved wife, Janet (MacPhail), in 2013. They shared 58 wonderful years together, during which they traveled to 24 countries across five continents.

A resident of South Hadley for most of his adult life, George had a long and successful career as an educator, retiring as Head of the Science Department at South Hadley High School. He firmly believed in enlightenment through education, earning his B.A. from Brown University, a Master's degree from UMass Amherst, and a Ph.D. from Cornell University. Before becoming an educator, George served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and was a veteran of the Korean War.

George was an active member of All Saints Church in South Hadley. He and Janet were founding members of the church and dedicated volunteers in various community activities.

He was deeply devoted to his family and took immense pride in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. George is survived by his daughter, Christina Hansen, and her husband, David, of Nashville, TN, and his son, Andrew Smith, and his wife, Kathy, of Hilton Head Island, SC. He also leaves behind five grandchildren: Nathaniel Hansen and his wife, Emily; Ashley Culver and her husband, Casey; Jennifer Staab and her husband, Paul; Emily McMakin and her husband, Patrick; and Casey Smith and his wife, Rabonne. Additionally, he is survived by ten great-grandchildren: Theodore, Colin, Lena, Lillian, Tadhg, Emmett, Clara, Abigail, Miles, and William, as well as his nephew, Carl Lee, and his wife, Sarah. George will be fondly remembered by numerous relatives, including Gwen and Daniel Lee, Susan, Jack, Julie, Daniel and Caroline Reagan, Darcy and David Thomas, Marilyn O’Hara and her son Andrew, Reyna and David Glazer, and Lori, Al, and Sarah Edwards.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to his devoted neighbors, Joan and Walter Hamilton, Larry and Monica Desmarais, and Lyndon and June Bagg, for their care and companionship.

George remained fiercely independent and enjoyed socializing with friends over lunch at the South Hadley Senior Center. He led a vibrant life, enjoying thrifting, chair volleyball, and caring for less independent friends by assisting them with errands and home visits. He cherished time with his family at Cape Cod in the summer and during holidays in Nashville and Hilton Head. Known for his great stories and fantastic sense of humor, George closely followed his grandchildren's lives, sharing their achievements and pictures with close friends.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 8, 2024 at 10:00 am at All Saints Church in South Hadley. He will be interred with his ancestors at Swan Point Cemetery in Providence, RI. The O’Brien Family Funeral Home in South Hadley has been entrusted with the arrangements. For more information or to offer online condolences, please visit obrienfamilyfh.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in George’s name to the New England Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.