Alfred J. SMITH Jr.

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.