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WILLIAM SMITH Obituary
Bill graduated from Boston Trade High School and was a very accomplished track and field athlete. He was inducted into Massachusetts Schoolboy Athletes Hall of Fame for his outstanding achievements as a young high school runner. Bill then went to Boston University (1951-1955) on a track and field scholarship where he continued to make and break track records in middle distance running. Bill was New England 880 champion in 1953. He graduated from BU holding records in the 600, 880, 1000, and one mile. Bill competed internationally during and after college and won many races. He was inducted into Boston University Hall of Fame for Athletes in1978. After BU, Bill was in the US Army for a couple of years where he ran competitively in the US and Europe.
As a coach at both high school and collegiate level, Bill strived to have each athlete reach his full potential. Bill coached 16 years at BU, coaching several Olympians, including Olympic champion, David Hemery. Bill's gift of running and his love for track and field was evident every day on the track. He truly loved the sport and his athletes' accomplishments under his tutelage whether it be winning a race or reaching a personal best. He was also inducted into Massachusetts State Track and Field Coaches Hall of Fame (1993). Bill also coached Scituate High School Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor track for over twenty years and had athletes who won numerous individual and team state titles. Coach Smith was also voted Coach of the Year several times throughout his coaching career. Widely known around Scituate as "Mr. Smith," he was a physical education teacher in Scituate for 37 years. Between his teaching and coaching careers he dedicated 44 years to the Scituate public schools. He will be missed tremendously, but his life and love will live on in the hearts of those he touched.
A visitation will take place on Tuesday, December 19 from 4-8 pm at Richardson-Gaffey Funeral Home at 381 First Parish Road in SCITUATE. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, December 20 at 10am at St. Mary of the Nativity Church, 1 Kent Street, in Scituate. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill's memory may be made to the Special Olympics Massachusetts, 512 Forest Street in Marlborough, MA 01752. Words of comfort can be left at www.richardsongaffeyfuneralhome.com RichardsonGaffeyFH/DN Customer LogoRichardson-Gaffey
(781) 545-0196
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Memories and Condolences
for WILLIAM SMITH
Dawn Caputo
December 12, 2024
One of the all time great. Will forever be remembered. Thankful for his friendship with JT. Billy meant a lot to John.
Dawn Caputo
December 12, 2023
I knew Billy from his long-time relationship with John Thomas. JT thought the world of him. Valued his friendship. As the Haverhill coach I knew him from our years coaching high school track and field. He was one of the great one. Will always be remembered by many and missed.
Jack
March 13, 2021
Since BU did not have an outdoor track in the late 60's I would see Bill and his track team often in the late winter and spring at the Boston College track. I witnessed his training sessions with Dave Hemery prior to the Dave's Gold Medal at the Mexico Olympics. He and I had many cherished friends in common. I loved Bill for the elegant way he conducted himself. Always honest, always respectful. Track is one sport where admiring your opponent is also beneficial to the development of your own self worth. Bill and his team always had our admiration, respect and esteem.
Tracy Vietze
February 2, 2018
To the Smith Family,
I knew Mr. Smith as an elementary school student at Central School in Scituate where he taught phys ed. Mr. Smith knew that I was a competitive gymnast and I remember him talking to me one time about athletic goals and inspiration. He showed me a coin that he had in his pocket to remind him of the places he had traveled with his own sporting career. I remember being fascinated by the story and this artifact of accomplishment. He said with confidence if I put my mind to it, there were many places I could go as well and to focus on improving and don't see limits only see possibilities. I always remember how special that was that he took the time to share these thoughts with me and they've stayed with me to this day. It meant a great deal to have a respected adult express that kind of confidence in a you. Further along I had the good fortune to be teammates with his daughter Sue, an accomplished competitive gymnast in her own right. I always knew the Smiths as a wonderful family, brimming with positive energy, such a pleasure to know. I was so sad to hear that Mr. Smith had passed away. I wanted to share this story so that you could know yet another good moment of his life.
Dawn Caputo
January 28, 2018
I just read of Billy's passing as I was on the Boston University athletics site yesterday as it was the John Thomas Invitational. Years ago I got to meet Billy while he was head coaching at BU and JT was an assistant coach. I know JT thought the world of Billy and their friendship as you know went beyond the BU years. I got to know Billy while he coached at Scituate while I coached Haverhill. He was always a positive, upbeat person and I looked forward to speaking with him at every meet. He left a marked impact on the lives of the athletes he coached. My deepest sympathy to his family, friends and all the athletes that were blessed to have Billy as their coach. I am thankful I got to know him and that our paths crossed. He represented the very best in sport.
December 27, 2017
Jean, Susan,Jean and Bill,
I just saw the Obituary five minutes ago. I am very sorry for your loss. I am so sorry that I didn't know sooner. I surely would have been there last Wednesday I always think of him at the end of August (the 29th to be exact) and my first visit to your house. I also think about him at this time of year because it reminds me of how good he was to me that first Christmas away from home. He was a good man, he will be missed.
My sincerest condolences,
-John Cherry-
Bob Littlefield
December 26, 2017
To the Smith family,
I just learned of Coach's passing. We were good friends and intense rivals when he was at Scituate High and I was at Norwell. One of my fondest memories was standing side by side with him at the Harvard track. He was holding the state championship plaque and I was holding the runner-up award. No shame whatsoever to finishing second to such a principled, energenic, positive gentleman. He and Charlie Leverone were a force to be reckoned with. My sympathies to you on your loss. Bill was one of the good ones.
Jean Finneran
December 26, 2017
To the Smith Family,
Mr. Smith was my gym teach from the first grade at Jenkins School through the 6th Grade at Central School! His enthusiasm for sports and dedication to each child's development was of utmost importance to him. Even though I suffered from asthma in my youth his "inviting" and personable style kept me coming back for more! He will be missed and my childhood would not have been the same without his gentle intervention!
Fred Parker
December 21, 2017
I was very sorry to read about Bill. My thoughts & prayers are with you.
Betsy Callanan
December 20, 2017
Dear Mrs. Smith,
Coach Smith's words of encouragement invoked in his team of athletes the self confidence needed to raise the bar of expectations.
His ability to motivate an athlete to strive for their personal best, regardless of ability or challenges they face, embodies the Special Olympic motto- "let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."
I am forever greatful to Coach Smith for his kindness, ability to inspire in me a love for the sport of running, and the desire to pay it forward.
My deepest sympathies,
Betsy Kerigan-Callanan
Scituate Special Olympics- Track & Field
Tina Mahoney
December 20, 2017
My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Smith family. I have such wonderful and 'funny' memories of Mr. Smith especially from my time at Wampatuck Elementary School. He would know what i mean when I say, 'I think of him every-time I see a garbage truck drive
bye : )'You will be missed!
December 19, 2017
Dear Susan, Jean, and Rick, I'm so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. He was a great teacher. My mom, who taught with him way back when, always spoke fondly of him. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families at this sad time. May your wonderful memories sustain you now and in the future. JoAnn Evans
Breida Collins
December 19, 2017
Mrs. Smith, Susie, Gigi and Billy, I am so sorry for your loss. I have so many fond memories of Mr. Smith, on Cobb Lane and at school. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Breida and all the McDonoughs
Carol DeMio
December 19, 2017
Dear Jean: I'm so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. He was truly an accomplished man. My sympathy to your entire family. It seems like just yesterday we would exchange family stories at R&R.
Donna Sharkey
December 19, 2017
Dear Jean, I'm so sorry to hear about Bill. Joannie let people know the sad news. Love you and thinking of you and your family.
Donna Sharkey
December 19, 2017
Dear Jeanne, I am so sorry to hear about your husband. He was truly an amazing man. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Lisa Hart (Rubin and Rudman)
Susan Walker
December 18, 2017
Jean and Susan (and all the Smith Family),
I am so sorry to hear this news on your Dads passing. What an impact he made..we should all be so lucky. Thinking of you.
The Walker Family
Darlene Wilson
December 18, 2017
Dear Jean,
I am so sorry to hear of your great loss. Your husband sounds like he was a wonderful man and loved by many (and will never be forgotten). My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
December 18, 2017
Hi Jeannie, Sorry to hear about Bill's passing. Will try to see you at the funeral. I have a very hard time trying to get out of the house that early. Joe takes all of my am time. Take care, Edwina
Kim Nisbet Stoloski
December 18, 2017
Godspeed Mr. Smith. You were a good man and teacher. My prayers for peace to your family and those who loved you.
Nicole Bolduc
December 18, 2017
Mrs. Smith,
I'm so sorry to hear of Mr. Smith's passing. He truly was one of the best. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family during this difficult time.
Jack Kelly
December 18, 2017
Coach Smith pushed me to get the best out of myself, in life and on the track. He is my mentor and friend and I will always love this wonderful man.
Jim Kerrigan
December 18, 2017
I worked with Billy at Scituate High School from 86-95. This was a guy who loved kids, what higher compliment can you pay? I remeber him telling me that when he worked with Kathy Hughes substantially seperate students "Jim, this is the only exercise that these kids really get" as he marched them to the gym. You never saw a happier crowd.
Billy told me of his Roxbury childhood where he was a teen with Malcom X. He knew him as Red Little at the time and held him in high regard.
Billy was a nice man who treated his students and athletes with great dignity.
December 18, 2017
Bil was my mentor coaching at SHS.He brought life to all he met. He will be remembered by all.
Bob Beatty
Bob Nadeau
December 18, 2017
To Jean and the entire Smith Family, my sincere condolences on Bill's passing. He was a fantastic teacher, mentor and friend as the years went by. When I was in elementary school I was very small but agile, so Bill would typically select me in gym class to demonstrate how to do different things like tumbling, hand-stands, flips, etc.. He would say "C'mon Nadie (a nickname he coined that stuck with me for years) let's show them how to do this". Years later I would see him around Scituate Harbor, or up at the Hingham Shipyard waiting for Jean to get off the commuter boat. When he would see me he would break out with a smile from ear to ear and say "Mr. Nay-Dew, how do you do?", all followed up by a big handshake and a great chat. He was an incredible soul that always made you feel like family. RIP Bill, you had an incredible impact on thousands of kids that grew up in Scituate. Thanks for all your kindness over the years.
Regards,
Keren Schlomy
December 18, 2017
Dear Jean,
I am so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. My thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time.
Love,
-Keren
Rob Smith
December 18, 2017
As an adolescent who wore slippers to school because of my skin blistering condition, Mr. Smith never let me feel excluded in gym class, and he encouraged me to do the best I could with my circumstances. Picked on by a few peers, he called me 'Cousin' as a sign of solidarity. His kindness and empathy meant more to me than he probably ever knew. Thank you, Mr. Smith <3
Mark Hemmert
December 18, 2017
He was a special, positive influence on us as kids. I will always remember him and the great fun we had in gym class. Thank you, Mr. Smith.
Deborah Desaulniers
December 18, 2017
Hi Jean, I am so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. My thoughts are with you during this sad time. If you need anything please do not hesitate to call me. Best regards,
Debbie Desaulniers
Rubin and Rudman LLP
December 18, 2017
Godspeed Mr. Smith. You were one of the best .......
Matt Downes
December 18, 2017
To the Smith family, Thank you for sharing this great man with us for so many years! Mr. Smith had a profound impact on my life and he always looked out for and protected my family. We will never forget him. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers.
December 18, 2017
I'm so sorry for your loss.
May the God of all comfort, bring comfort to the Smith family during these difficult times.
(2 Corin.1:3,4)
The Staff of Richardson-Gaffey Funeral Home
December 18, 2017
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
mona lynch
December 17, 2017
So very sorry; I remember Mr. Smith very well from growing up in Scituate and going to school with his children. He will be missed.
Alicia Jaymes McKersie
December 17, 2017
Coach Smith was a wonderful man and great coach. With his calm and quiet demeanor he inspired us, challenged us, and loved us. He made an impact on my life and many others. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Jerry Baker
December 17, 2017
What a great gym teacher had him from 1960 to1966 will be missed by many rip bill
Carole Ruiter Stone
December 17, 2017
Mr Smith was the best phys ed teacher, loved him at Wampatuck school when it first opened. Rest in peace.
Mary Parker-Rappold
December 17, 2017
Mr. Smith was one of the good ones. I had him at Central School in the 60's. I would see him as an adult at Stop and Shop every time I went there and he never forgot my name. A kind and gentle man. My sympathy to the family
janet bagdonas/knox
December 17, 2017
such a sweet man......
Jennifer Hoadley (Carroll)
December 17, 2017
So sorry to hear this news. He will forever be my favorite coach. He pushed our track team to achieve wonderful things and I still have a love for running to this day. He is in my thoughts and prayers. No words will ever truly capture what a wonderful man he was.
Karen Frank
December 16, 2017
My deepest sympathy to all Bill's family. Never have I met a man who seemed to radiate joy as Bill did. He always seemed happy, and always had words of encouragement. He will be missed, but will live in our hearts and the smiles of his grandchildren.
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Richardson-Gaffey Funeral Home382 First Parish Road, Scituate, MA 02066
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