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RODNEY SMITH Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for RODNEY SMITH
Sponsored by anonymous.
January 28, 2013
Dear Phyllis, Andy & Robin, Michael & Allison, Carrie and Christian,
Like others who knew Roddy, I think of him almost every day. The Marblehead Lighthouse, especially in December when the Christmas lights are shining; whenever I cross the Causeway; whenever I go to the gym; whenever I go to the Community Center or the Library; whenever I eat a BLT or egg salad sandwich; whenever I go on a boat ( especially on the intracoastal when our engine stopped) whenever I hear any kind of music that I know he and I enjoyed; whenever I have a sustained, uncontrollable laughter. I'm sure there are many more memories that flash through my mind all the time. Yes there is sadness but with it much joy. The joy of having known him, the memories and realizing what a terrific husband, father and friend he was.I miss him as do all the others who truly know him. Much love to all of you.
Clarkie
RON NUSSBAUM
September 14, 2012
I WAS SO SADDENED TO HERE ABOUT RODS PASSING. IT SEEMS ONLY YESTERDAY WE WERE ALL IN COLLEGE TOGETHER. ROD AND PHYLISS, TIM AND MILLIE AND RON AND JOAN. ALSO ONLY YESTERDAY JOAN AND I WERE WITH YOU IN GRANADA.
PHYLISS PLEASE TAKE CARE AND STAY WELL
ALL OUR LOVE
RON AND JOAN
David Zoia
June 30, 2012
Did you know that Rod had a very, very tough and short career as a cook on a cruising/racing sailboat? This is how it came about.
Talked into a sailing “adventure” by me, Rod (not being a sailor and prone to sea sickness and sunburn) agreed to be the cook on the “leisurely” (non-racing) return leg of a Marion to Bermuda sailboat race. I would help out as a sailing crew member on the same friend's boat. All we had to do was fly to Bermuda once the race was almost over, do a little partying in Bermuda and leisurely sail back with the crew to Marblehead …. Rod as cook …. Me as crew …. Soft core adventure at hand.
The first day in Bermuda before the sailboats arrived, we decided to rent motor scooters, tour the island (where driving is on the left side of the road), catch a little sun and maybe have a drink during lunch. Well, we were not quite up to the challenge as Rod had a little scooter accident as his bike caught a rut in the sandy road and over went Rod resulting in many scrapes and ugly deep bruises on his body, but otherwise unharmed. Not a good beginning … but the partying continued because none of the sailboats in the race could cross the finish line because they all became becalmed. When the race was finally over, many were eager to quickly return to their home ports as they had promised their families that they would indeed be back by the 4th of July celebrations.
Though bruised, scraped and tired Rod bravely rallied and made ready for the return trip … ready to display his “cooking” talents to the rest of the tired, hungry, two-way crew. In the rush to leave, Rod understandably forgot to take his much-needed seasick medication before they left port. As the first storm hit only a few hours out of port, Rod immediately became sick and remained that way for most of the trip. Harnessed into the cockpit for 24 hours a day through thick and thin he bravely attempted to go below to cook, only to be miserable after every attempt. So the great sailing/cruising adventure that I promised him proved to be a lot less than that and thus a potential great career as an onboard cruising/racing sailboat cook never materialized for Rod.
Susan Zoia
June 30, 2012
Remembrance delivered by Susan Zoia at Memorial Service
David and I met Phyl and Rod one winter's afternoon downstairs in Maddie's with Andy and Adam in backpacks. For almost 42 years our families grew up together, played together, had many adventures and laughs, and more food, drinks than can be remembered. The only difficult part was having to endure watching Rod eat velvetta, liverwurst and mayo on white bread.
The best choice Rod ever made was to marry his one true love and his rock, Phyllis Budnicki, who he met in college. Together they raised Andy, Mike and Carrie. Three more loving, supportive and humorful people you'd be hard put to find. Not surprising, they married equally wonderful people, Robin, Allison, and Christian. All six have unconditionally loved and supported Rod and Phyl as they navigated these difficult times. They are a unique family loved by so many as is evidenced by the amazing turnout today.
Rod was incredibly funny, witty, the life of any party and brilliant, a proud member of Mensa. Rod loved poetry and music and always sang and quoted poetry to family and friends. Rod's kindness was one of his many attributes. Rod was the guy who spotted a person sitting alone at a party and he would go over and sit with him. Soon he had the person laughing along with him. My mom lived with us for six years. She was in her 90's. Rod spent more time with her than any non-family member, even though she always called him “Rob”. She loved him dearly.
About 18 years ago a bunch of us went to the Cape to learn to play golf. The end result was that Roddy developed a skill I have never seen. He could hit the tee 50 yards without ever touching the ball! David and I were living on Russell Street when a smoking type fire broke out in our house due to a candle being blown over onto a bookshelf. It was frightening and I was my usual self in an emergency, sobbing – incoherent. We could not stay at our place so I called the Smiths to see if we could sleep over. Rod couldn't understand me as I was crying so hard. He said, “If this is Susan, please put David on the phone.” David took the phone and calmly said, “Hi Rod, we're having a little fire over here. Susan and I were wondering if it's not too inconvenient, could we stay with you for a few days? Rod said incredulously, “Are you two at the same fire?”
Rod went through a stage where he would compulsively order useless items from TV ads. One morning we were getting ready for a party. Rod called and asked if he could come over and clean all our bathrooms. We thought, “Who is this person? Bring our Roddy back.” I opened the door to a sight I will never forget. It was so bizarre. Rod was standing there in a hairnet, a long plastic apron with little ducks all over it, long plastic gloves, holding a cleaning basket worthy of a professional industrial cleaner. He looked like a cross between Mary Poppins run amuck and Mr. Clean off steroids. One hour later David and I were concerned that Rod was overcome by cleaning fumes so we checked on him. We found Rod sweaty and disgusted. He peeled off all the cleaning clothes. He looked at both of us and said, “Whose idea was this? I quit.”
I would bet that there are very few people in this room that have not been touched by Rod Smith in a positive way, whether through his love, humor, kindness, or friendship. He will remain in our hearts forever.
Nina & Bruce Robertson
June 29, 2012
Hi Phyllis - Although recent years have passed with too few Rod-sightings, we remember earlier days in Marblehead, when we first moved here in the '70s. Every time we were with Rod, he had us laughing! What a wonderful wit he had! That is how we will remember him. May peace and happiness be in your future. Nina & Bruce Robertson
Patty Smith
June 22, 2012
Phyllis and family:
Missing Rod's send off and celebration of life was awful for me. I am glad that Mitch, Billy and Bobby were able to attend and to share in the tender moment.
I just had the privelege of reading the notes from you all who spoke at the celebration. I am totally moved by all of your abilities to capture the true essence of what a terrific man he was. Thankfully, you also included pictures. I looked at them 5 times and each time, I came away with a new feeling. At the core of each photograph, genuine love is displayed.
I truly treasure the few opportunities that I had to share in your family's presence. God bless Rod's soul and may He give you the peace you deserve in your rememberences of our beloved, Rod.
Mike Smith
June 20, 2012
Below are the notes that I used to deliver my remembrance of Dad during the memorial service on June 15th. Dad was an amazing man, and dedicated husband, a loyal friend, and most importantly to me, a role-model father. We will miss you, dad, and we will always love you - Mikey
Thank you all for coming to celebrate DAD – and while he is also brother, and husband, and friend, I think he was most happy being DAD
As I got thinking about what I wanted to say today, it occurred to me that DAD has taught me some of life's most important lesson:
• Lesson one – Crystallization
o For those who don't know, crystallization is what happens when a scoop of vanilla ice cream at just the right temperature and firmness is dropped into a glass of Coke at just the right temperature and carbonation
? The result is perfect little crystals of Coke…
? Thursday nights mom would play tennis
? We would eat SOMETHING for dinner and then watch Cheers – forever seeking perfect crystallization
• Lesson two – Always keep your kids on their toes
o Late for curfew – house is quiet and dark
o But dad never really slept well at night
o Think to myself “I GOT AWAY WITH IT”
o From the dark living room – “Good Evening Michael”
o Like Darth Vader – dad would just smile and I would head off to bed
• Lesson three – Rise and shine
o Dad would wake me up very early in the morning – again he never could sleep
o Sometimes it meant we were first in line at the Driftwood
o I remember leaving the house one morning and waking up just after we crossed the border into Maine.
? Arrive at Freeport McDonalds for breakfast and then hit LL Bean
NOW I'M THE DAD, AND I SEE ALL OF THESE MOMENTS JUST A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY:
• Thursday nights weren't about crystallization and Cheers – it was about developing family rituals and a Dad wanting to do nothing other than just spend time together
• Keeping your kids on their toes was not about scaring the snot out of them sitting in a dark room in the middle of the night – it was about the feelings dads have every moment of every day just wanting to know and be sure that your child is OK
• And the early morning wake-ups were not about being annoying when I just wanted to sleep in- they were about finding those little moments to make a middle child feel like there was nothing more important to dad than stealing a couple of quiet hours together
IN THE END IT'S ALL REALLY ONE BIG LESSON – DAD WAS TEACHING ME HOW TO BE A DAD AND HE DID ONE HECK OF A JOB!
WANT TO READ A BRIEF POEM THAT WAS THE LAST THING THAT I READ TO DAD AT HIS BEDSIDE LAST WEEK.
Robert Frost – God's Garden
June 20, 2012
Dear Phyllis, Please accept and convey to your family my fondest condolences. I am very sad for you and you will continue to be in my prayers. It was an honor for me to attend Rod's memorial service last Friday. A fitting and wonderful tribute to him. To be loved and missed as much as he is remarkable and to be treasured. I can think of a paraphrase of something Jackie robinson once said to the effect that life is not important except for the effect it has on others. That being the case, Rod's life was and will continue to be supremely important. Again. please accept my heartfelt sympathy. Margaret Sparks
Mackenzie Smith
June 18, 2012
Remembrance Song written by Allison and Mackenzie for Pop Pop
A You were super awesome
B You were beautifully bald
C Cheerios kind of guy
D You loved Diet Soda
E Everything Civil War
F Family was your main pride
G You grandkids all loved you
H Humor all the time
I Ice Cream any way or kind
J Jersey Roll consumer
K Killians drinker
L Lincoln loving was your style
M Marblehead Little League
N New Jersey crumb cake buyer
O The oldies always made you smile
P Perogie Boiling Master
Q Quite the historian
R Red Sox : apples of your eye
S Salem Diner fixture
T Trips to LL Bean
U Underwear races on the fly
V and W
X Extra Special
Y You really are Z best guy
Pop Pop we love you
And we will miss you
Heaven gained your wit and your smile
Andy Smith
June 17, 2012
Remembrance by Andy Smith at Rod Smith's Celebration
June 15, 2012
Dear Dad,
I want to thank you for being who you were.
I have gone 41 years with the sound of your voice telling me funny stories, cheering me on from the sidelines and giving me advice on life…. and then eventually on my own family. But now, that voice is silent.
In this strange new silence…. or…. new void where someone has always been, I've started this week, bit by bit, getting over the shock and remembering things about you Dad that made you so special.
And what I didn't really know and maybe took for granted... was, that you had left behind small gifts, gifts that I have been ‘all along' unwrapping in my mind when coming across situations, either at work, with friends… or at home with my family. Thinking back about growing up, listening and watching you, my whole life you've given me these gifts, they were so subtle I never knew it. -You always gave us plenty of gifts…pets, skis, Atari- maybe a 13' Boston whaler. But these were gifts that I could touch and feel and I of course knew of them-and thank you…..
I couldn't see the greatest gifts you gave to me, ….but now I do; Honesty, Patience, Strength and of course your Humor-which I can't match. These are gifts you instilled in me and in our family.
Each of these qualities I'm sure everyone here has felt through you. It's what makes you so special…. that's why we are all here… you had the ability to make us at ease, and to make us all laugh.
You have always told me how proud you were of me, but it's my turn to let you know how proud I've always been of you.
I love you and will miss you.
George Cashman
June 17, 2012
June 14, 2012
Dear Phyllis, Andy, Michael, Carrie and all other members of “The Great Smith Family”.
I must admit, that upon receipt of an email from Peter Schalck bringing the sad news of Rod's passing, I was completely caught off guard. I spent the next few hours and some hours later in the evening going over in my mind the many years of work and friendship that I was the beneficiary of from 1992 and beyond.
Much like a great movie that you yearn to see over and over again, I recounted the laughter and frowns as I constantly surprised Rod with a new initiative, idea, or direction to go in that just by chance was counter to the direction we had been considering just days before. I knew for sure during those times that Rod must have been saying to himself “Here We Go Again”. Each time and true to Rod's spirit, he would give me that special look of “confusion” that only he could express so well, and then say “OK Boss we'll get it done”, and then we would laugh. He was truly a loyal soldier.
Rod would always pay attention to detail and honored the rules and the law as it concerned our Health & Welfare mission. Much like the master mechanic, he would always find and fix the problems, leaving those of us who were trustees of the Fund, to breathe a little easier, because of his good work. Rod and I were much like Ying and Yang, I would create the problems and he would dedicate himself to fixing them. I was the dreamer and he was the delivery man. He always had my back as I tried to skirt the rules and he patiently coached me back to reality.
I was always pleased that “Rod”, our fund manager, was the son of a Teamster member. I took comfort in knowing that he too was a certified member of our truly dysfunctional Teamster family and that he reveled in the teasing and torture of being in that family. At least I hope he did!! One thing I know for sure is that Rod was more of a Teamster than most that I have known. He demonstrated it in the way he cared about each and every member and their family, and for those kind acts I will forever be grateful. Much like the Lion in the Wizard of Oz, Rod's courage was infectious once he realized this fight was necessary to secure a victory for our Teamster families. I fondly remember Rod looking at me with a twinkle in his eye after many of our victories as if to say, “You didn't think I was that tough did Ya”.
Well, He is tough, He is smart and most importantly He is loyal, and he carries with Him into eternity those strong and extraordinary convictions.
I grieve with you as I have lost a loyal friend and mentor. My thoughts go out to you and all of your family members during this time of loss.
May GOD Bless Rod and Keep Him, and May HE soothe the many hearts of His Grieving Family.
A Teamster Brother
Carrie Arrieta
June 17, 2012
Remembrance by Carrie Arrieta at Rod Smith's Celebration
June 15, 2012
Dad's Eulogy
Thank you all for coming today to celebrate our father's life. Thank you to everyone involved in helping us remember dad in such a beautiful way. Your presence here to honor our dad means a great deal to our mom, my brothers and me.
I am humbled by the task of speaking, in few words, to memorialize the incredible father that my dad was to me. As you all know, Dad was at ease speaking in public. He was often the go-to-guy to toast a new marriage, honor a colleague, roast a friend or even deliver a poem or a song. He needed no notes, he seldom prepared, and yet he was captivating.
He was really a one of a kind. As I attempted to prepare myself for today I realized two things. First, I did not inherit dad's public speaking off-the-cuff make-it-look-easy talent; and second, there was simply no way to encapsulate in few words my great fortune of being daughter to this brilliant and remarkable man.
Dad wouldn't want me to be long-winded or go on and on about his life, wonderful though it was. This was, after all, the man that drank his coffee with one ice cube, in one sip, and drank grey goose on the rocks with “no fruit.”
So I will stumble through just a few things that came to me first, and I will take comfort in knowing that I have the rest of my life to talk with dad and make him proud of me through the legacy he has left in all of us.
He was progressive as fathers go. When I was eleven or so, he and mom took me and a friend to see the Bohemian, anti-Vietnam musical “Hair” for the first time. I'd been listening to the soundtrack for years as it was one of the many cassette tapes in our regular road trip line-up (along with Abba and Kenny Rogers of course), but had never seen it performed live….so imagine our pre-teen excitement when, in the final number before intermission, the entire cast emerged onstage and sang ...what felt like a pretty long song … totally in the nude.
He loved Spain. His passion for Spanish culture and his tales of living and studying in Granada with mom fascinated me. I wanted to meet the locals that became their close friends. I wanted to be a fly on the wall when those friends translated for them when the upstairs neighbor revealed to mom and dad she believed that dad had been professing his love to her through the electrical wiring. I wanted to eat spaghetti straight from the sink like they did using a heating coil (taking hours), with no pots or plates. “Spaghetti a la sinkette” they called it. I wanted to see the bullfights of Sebastian Palomo Linares, their favorite Matador, and dine at their favorite eatery that served only, but only, chicken, bread and champagne. And I wanted to experience the otherness they felt in braving the unknown and learning a new way of life. Dad inspired me to set off on a life-changing adventure of my own in Spain as an undergrad, and then on to Costa Rica after college, where I would spend 7 years and one day fall in love with and get married to a “Tico.” And when we wed, Dad would give one of his master toasts, this time only in Spanish, and in an instant unite our two families and our two cultures.
I loved, adored and respected my father. Dad always made people happy. He loved to laugh and make others laugh, often at his own expense. He was caring, giving and witty and made people smile. He opened our home to friends, and family of friends and was a father figure to many.
He taught me how to be kind and respectful of others. He taught me how to be devoted, faithful and work hard, every day. He taught me generosity and thoughtfulness, and to always always leave a big tip. He taught me how to give love freely and how to be loved. He taught me how to be a great team with my husband, because he and mom were always a united front. And in the face of illness and tragedy, he taught me true strength.
Dad loved us deeply and protected and encouraged us always.
I will never forget the last visit we had before this final event. I sat on one side of dad and mum on the other. We sang a bit, and we had a good laugh. He kissed us and told us he loved us. I am so grateful, dad, that we had the opportunity we did in your final days to sing and remember, and hold your hand and be together, and tell you you were the best dad in the world.
Your legacy will live on through our families, as we raise our own kids with the values you instilled, and the path you paved for us. I promise you that we will take care of mom for you and we will take care of each other.
--- The following is an excerpt from the poem that dad loved and lived by and kept hanging on his wall next to the bed, called “Desiderata,” by Max Ehrmann. ---
Phyllis Smith
June 17, 2012
Remembrance by Phyllis Smith at Rod Smith's Celebration
June 15, 2012
It's wonderful to have you all here to celebrate Rod and his very well-lived life ….. I see so many people who were so important to him and we know that he is smiling down making a quip about each of you. The children know, and Rod knew, that when I had something on my mind, a letter would appear on their pillows, so it seems only fitting that I place this last letter on the pillow of my beloved.
Dear Boobie,
The children and I spent this last week since your passing pouring through our 106 photo albums and reliving the wonderful life that we had together. Above all else, the photos are full of love. We loved you so much and it is so clear that you loved us all unconditionally and completely. We laughed so much and that was mainly due to your incredible sense of humor. The first song I remember you singing to me when we were sitting in the student union at college was Helen Brown, your original composition. “Oh she looks like Helen Brown. She's the prettiest girl in town but she looks like hell in brown.” “He must be wonderful to live with,” became a family mantra because it was said to us so often.
You WERE wonderful to live with, not because it was a laugh a minute but because of your love, your thoughtfulness, your kindness, your honesty, your dependability, your intelligence and your desire to protect us all. One of our favorite stories which you told often and whose punch line you delivered perfectly was about how you protected me from a group of young Spaniards as I walked ahead of you on the streets of Granada. You had been told that if any man made a flirtatious comment (called a piropo in Spanish) to your wife, your duty was to protect her virtue. You leapt at the young man, pulled him by the collar and eye to eye shouted “Colchon” . As you told the story, the young man did not react until you repeated “colchon” then he fell down laughing and I said, “Colchon? You just called him a mattress.” You meant “cuchino” which is pig but I felt protected never-the-less. Aren't we grateful that we had that year together in Spain. It really set the tone for our lives together. You literally would go to the ends of the earth for me. Our trip to Antarctica proved that.
Spain was always special to you. So was the Jersey Shore. You loved the beach …. not the way most of us did …. You loved it after 5 p.m. reading or sleeping under an assortment of towels that covered every portion of skin that could possibly be exposed to whatever remaining sun there was. And you loved Marblehead …. Raising the kids, being involved in theater and little league …. Our many wonderful friends and then of course our amazing grandchildren …Miles, Mackenzie, Tucker, Bodie, Sebastian, and Nico.
We sang. You knew the words to every song you ever heard and made up words to the ones you didn't know. The Bee Gees never wrote “Bald-headed woman” or “Living in a World of Pools” but that's how we sang those songs. The hully-gully was our go-to dance at all events and you even managed a pretty decent polka when needed. You sang throughout your illness which you battled so bravely joining in the choruses as we sang with you and you were known in the hospital ward for your version of Elvis Presley's “Love Me Tender”. Your sense of humor never wavered either … it sustained us all. You changed the words that Doris Day, one of your favorites, sang to “I may be wrong, but I think I'm wonderful.” And you were right. You were wonderful in every possible way. I will miss you every day and hold you in my heart forever. You done good, Honey… real good. Hasta Siempre my love.
Kay and Mark Kimble
June 17, 2012
Comments by Kay and Mark Kimble at Rod Smith's Celebration
June 15, 2012
Only someone with Rod Smith's refined sense of irony could appreciate that, as Kay reads these words on my behalf inside this hall, I am sitting in my car, outside the hall, feeling profoundly sorry for myself, wishing I could be with you.
However, I am temporarily restrained by my doctors who tell me, because of certain therapies I am undertaking, that I cannot mix with large and loving crowds of people. . . and I knew that, for a celebration of the life of Rod Smith, above all else, there would certainly be “large and loving crowds of people.”
I wish Rod were here so he and I could replay the kind of mock dialogue we so often had over so many pints of Guinness: “Hey Blue, guess what, when you pass, I'm comin' to your celebration…but I'm bringin' a crossword puzzle and a good book to read.”
**********
Over the years, countless people have affected my life on a personal basis. Certain others have marked me professionally, volunteering, at critical times, to keep a candle burning in the window of my career. But Rod Smith. . .Rod Smith is in that very tiny band of brothers who, for a major part of my life, invited me to be both a better person and a more accomplished professional.
In 1982, working for Alexander & Alexander in Baltimore, I managed a project charged with collecting and evaluating the best written documents circulating in our company. The idea was to clone that material and make it available to our consultants, company- wide, as models that they could use to conduct their own local business.
We gathered some 400 written documents, most of which, charitably, were “routine.” But the single, very best document I saw—a proposal that had been prepared for a Sisters of Mercy hospital in Chicago—was written by someone I had never met, named Rod Smith, working in an office I had never heard of, in Newburyport, MA.
I called this Rod Smith. He invited me to Newburyport. I met his boss, made several trips to his office, and, by the end of 1983, relocated from Baltimore to New England, to begin working for Rod Smith and his colleagues, thus changing my life, and Kay Kimble's life. . .and Eric Kimble's life. . .and Matthew Kimble's life. . . and, ultimately, the life of my five granddaughters forever.
Rod moved on to Mercer, then to TeamstersCare. I moved on, still with A&A, to corporate headquarters in New Jersey. And over the years our families stayed in touch. But, I must admit, more often than not, it was Rod who took the initiative and kept us connected. I remember one telephone conversation— and this is quintessentially Rod Smith—where I'm fumbling all over myself, saying “Hey, Rod, I'm so sorry. This is the third straight time you've called me. I'm embarrassed. It really was my turn to call you.”
And Rod said, “Who's counting?”
At the end of my corporate career in Jersey, the Newburyport office had me back for a retirement party, to which they invited some of my old colleagues who had long since moved on. They invited Rod, who ended up sitting next to me at the luncheon table. He said, “What now for you?” I said I was going to try free lance writing, something I'd always wanted to do. Rod said, “You need work?” I said, “You bet.” He said, “I can get you started with some writing that we need done for the TeamstersCare Health Fund.”
I went back to Jersey, started working for Rod, by fax and phone, part-time. Things went well. Rod knew the Kimbles were desperate to get back to New England. He gave me more and more hours of work, then said, if I moved back to New England, he could give me the equivalent of a full-time job. We moved to Maine, and I worked for Rod and the Fund for 10 years, until it was my time to retire for good.
*************
The Kimbles don't have as many Rod Smith stories as some other families in this room—the Zoyas, the Schalcks—but for non-Marbleheaders, we do have our share. I will tell you this: of all my friends, Rod Smith may well have been the only one who knew all five of my granddaughters by name. I remember once being with Rod and a third person who asked me the age of my oldest granddaughter. I hadn't a clue. Rod volunteered, “Kristin would be about 11 wouldn't she?” And he was right.
Rod loved music about as much as anyone else I know, and he loved the music of language as much as I do. So here are some words for Rod Smith. Ungrudging. Enabling. Observant. (Preternaturally observant.) Appreciative. Forgiving. Understanding. Unbulls--table. Compassionate. Familial. Interested. Engendering.
“Engendering.” What a lovely word. I take that from Robert Parker's description of one of his characters in an early Spenser novel. Parker says of this person, (quote) “When he's asked a question he was always interested in the answer. His curiosity was always genuine, and always engendering. When you got through talking with him you usually knew more about the subject than when you started. Even if it was your own subject.” (End quote.) What an epitaph for a man to have.
I can tell you that, in the workplace, no one worked harder at getting things right than Rod, but no one was more supportive when things went wrong. No one was more indefatigable then Rod when he was on a roll, but he was one of the best listeners I ever met. No one was more damaged by confrontation than Rod, but he was unflinching in support of any cause he thought was right, however withering the fire. No one I've ever met had a finer wit than Rod Smith, but what could easily have been a corrosive power in the hands of a lesser person, was, for Rod, almost always a way to bind up wounds.
***********
Who among us has not heard, or could ever forget, Rod Smith taking off on his father's favorite poem, “The Shooting of Dan McGrew”? Who among us is not proud to be numbered, together with Rod, among that “bunch of the boys who were whooping it up at the Malamute saloon”?
I only hope, over the days, months, and years to come, that Rod Smith thinks of me as often as I will think of him.
But then again, as Rod himself would say, “Who's counting?”
June 17, 2012
Dear Phyllis and family,
The service for Rod was absolutely wonderful. It was so amazing to hear what you and your children had to say. He was such a gentle wonderful man and we all learned a lot more about him. What a beautiful tribute!
Embracing you John & Bernice Hartnett
June 15, 2012
"Dear Phyllis,Andy,Robin,Mickey,Carrie and family,what wonderful "OLD NEIGHBORHOOD" memories we have of Rod,s welcoming,kind and loving ways.Our thoughts and prayers are with you " Love Sue & Barry Blaisdell,
Anthony and Jo Ann Silva
June 14, 2012
Dear Phyllis,
I've just enjoyed looking at all the wonderful photos of you and Rod and your beautiful family. A spirit like Rod's, so filled with the love of life, finding beauty and humor in so much, is rare, and we are so pleased and honored to have known him. Singing for him tomorrow will be bittersweet -- I will remember his smiling face in the audience, looking up at us in support and pleasure, at so many Calla Lily concerts -- but I'm glad we can honor him by singing some of his favorites. You are in both our hearts. Fondly, Anthony and Jo Ann
Rena Raso
June 14, 2012
Dear Phyllis and Family, I'm so sad to hear of Rod's passing. I enjoyed our many years of working together and feel blessed to have known him. My thoughts are with you all. He will be greatly missed.
With love,
Rena Raso
June 13, 2012
Dear Phyllis,
Sally & I are so sorry for your loss...You know how much you've been in our prayers. I will be able to sing with Calla Lily at the service! Sending many hugs & our love to you,
Holly & Sally
Bruce, Jessica, Ben, Ted & Noah Jones
June 13, 2012
Phyllis, Andy, Michael, Carrie and family, please accept our heartfelt condolences. I'm writing this on the same iPad where Rod made us smile, playing music and singing. So many fun memories, so many smiles, so many good hearty laughs. Wishing you all Love and Peace.
June 13, 2012
Dear Phyllis: I am so sorry that when I hugged you at the Grace Church nursery school event this morning I did not know that Rob had died. I would have hugged you much longer, dear woman that you are. I can't be at the service on Friday but please know that you and your wonderful family are in my heartfelt prayers.
Sandra Winter
Juanita Prescod
June 13, 2012
Carrie, my deepest sympathy to and your family during this difficult time. May all of you find comfort with the many cherished memories of your dad.
~~~~ Juanita~~~~
Tim Gibney
June 10, 2012
Dear Phyllis and family...
So sorry Tommi and I were not able to be at the services to celebrate Rod. So many great memories dating back to the FDU days over 50 years ago. They say you only have a handful of real friends in your lifetime and I am fortunate to count Rod{AKA-STUDMUFFIN} as one of them. Again, deepest sympathy to you and all the Smith family. Hope to see you soon.
Love, Tim and Tommi.........
June 10, 2012
Dear Phyllis,
We were so sorry to read about Rod's passing. Our thoughts are with you and your family at such a difficult time.
Fondly,
Bonnie and Marshall Harmon Marblehead
Sally Knutson
June 9, 2012
Dear Phyllis, Robin, Andy and all the family--my heart is heavy, and I send my love and sympathy to you. I am smiling as I remember Rod's long arms waving on Atlantic Avenue as he welcomed me for my first visit! Such joy! I am grateful I knew him.
Barbara Korshin
June 8, 2012
Dear Phyllis - I knew Rod only a short time, but in that time I could tell what a great guy he was....even in these final months he had a wonderful sense of humor and was very caring. To you and your family, I'm so sorry. Barbara
Doug & Deb Mentuck
June 7, 2012
To all of the Smith Family, please accept our most sincere condolences for your loss. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers during this sad and difficult time.
Mark and Heidi Ferrante
June 6, 2012
Andy, Robin and Family
You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time. We are so sorry to hear of your loss. We send you all love, peace and healing.
Peter Morgan
June 6, 2012
Dear Phyllis and family
I am saddened to hear of Rod's passing. What a genuine good guy he was. Always in possesion of humor beyond normal human limits, he will forever be fondly remembered. I cherish the memories of the holiday Babka deliveries and the good times we all had when our kids were young.
Love,
Peter Morgan
Linda and Jim Cunningham
June 6, 2012
Dear Phyllis and Family:
We were so saddened to hear of Rod's passing. Such a vibrant, funny, wonderful spirit, whom we looked forward to spending time with when we visited our friends, Susan and David, in Marblehead. Please know that we are thinking of you all. He was a real sweetheart and he will be missed!
Love, Linda and Jim
Todd Herrmann
June 6, 2012
Dear Roddy, my friend,
Few are the mornings that I've woken up over the past few years and not thought about how much I'd like to be heading over to the Diner to meet you for breakfast. Your consistent good cheer, free-flowing banter, ease with other customers and adoration of the waitstaff set the day up for me, reminding me that each moment is a work of art and medium is human kindness.
Thank you for sharing your warmth, compassion, wit, advice and experience so freely. Thank you for immortalizing Eliza as the 'the Goat Girl' in her wedding toast. Thank you for bringing up some wonderful kids. Thank you for exposing me to the joys of sugar-free maple syrup, show tunes and books on tape. Thank you for picking up the check even when you swore you thought it was my turn to pay. Thank you for being a perfect friend, parent and even landlord. And thank you especially for showing me how to treat a woman you love...for fifty years in a row.
I will go to the Diner on Friday and when Georgia asks, "where's Smitty?" I will tell her that you've gone on ahead of us, but for me you will always, always be present.
My love to all the Smiths and Arrietas,
Todd
Eliza Parker-Briones
June 5, 2012
Dear Phyllis, Andy, Michael, Carrie, and all of the family:
We are so deeply saddened to hear of Rod's passing, and we wanted to express our deepest condolences to all of you in this difficult time. Rod will always be one of our fondest and most mythical heroes, as he gave the main speech (on my behalf) at our wedding back in '99. It was nearly 100 degrees in Bangor, and probably 110 under the tent, but Rod's humorous, wry, genuine, and spot-on tribute truly made us forget our full-body flop-sweat and let us simply cry tears of joy and laughter. It is that type of verve and spirit we admired so greatly in Rod, and we will keep him in our minds and prayers as that exceedingly generous soul.
Much love to all of you, and once again, our most heartfelt condolences to all of the Smith clan,
Eliza, Matt, Cadence, and Ella
Robin Smith
June 4, 2012
Pop Pop,
You will be missed more than you will ever know. Your wonderful sense of humor and your everlasting love with be with all of us forever. Love, Robin
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