John E. Smith

Portsmouth, RI – John E. "Smitty" Smith, 53, of 59 Dexter Street, Portsmouth, RI, died with his loving family by his side on Friday, August 28, 2009, after a courageous battle with cancer, at the Newport Hospital, Newport, RI. He was the husband of Sandra L. (McCollum) Smith. Born in Newport, RI, on August 9, 1956, he was the son of Annie Frances (Silvia) Smith and the late Oren Lee Smith. "Smitty" most recently worked as the Business/Finance Manager for Saccucci Lincoln Mercury Honda, but had previously worked as a DJ for WOTB, a licensed mechanic at Aquidneck Lanes where he then became the proprietor of Smitty's Lockshop, as a staff accountant at Louann Lawrence CPA & Associates, as the Business/Finance Manager at Barry Pontiac Buick, and as a proprietor of Stone Bridge Liquors in Tiverton. He was constantly educating himself in new and different fields having received degrees and certifications in engineering, math, locksmithing, and lastly received a degree in Business Administration and Accounting from Bristol Community College. His educational honors included being a member of the National Deans List, Phi Theta Kapa, the International Honor Society and the Alpha Sigma Lamba, National Honor Society. He was a member of the Middletown FOPA 21, the Portsmouth Rotary Club, the Narragansett Bay Radio Club, and was Treasurer of the Portsmouth High School Band. He was an avid New York Yankees and LA Lakers fan, enjoyed bowling, and restoring his 1950 Chevy Pickup, but most enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Besides his wife, he is survived by three sons, Thomas R. Nasser, Jr. and his wife Kristina of Middletown, Ronald Nasser of Warwick, and Shawn M. Nasser of Portsmouth, a daughter, Dawn Nasser Rogers and her husband Doug Rogers of Portsmouth, two brothers, Duane Higgins of Newport and Dale Smith of Florida, a sister, Mona Higgins Dube of Newport, seven grandchildren, Britney Craig, Selena Nasser, Aaron Nasser, Hannah Nasser, Shay Nasser, Max Nasser, and Connor Rogers, three nieces, Ashley Smith, Arielle Goble, and Cara Higgins, and one nephew, Cody Goble. His funeral will be held on Wednesday, September 2, 2009, at 11:00am, in the First Presbyterian Church, 6 Everett Street, Newport, RI. Burial will be private. Calling hours will be held Tuesday, September 1, 2009, from 4:00-8:00pm in the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871. Memorial donations in his memory can be made to the Portsmouth High School Music Boosters, P.O. Box 21, Portsmouth, RI 02871.