Brian R. Smith

“I have been very lucky. I was born to good parents. I was provided a happy childhood and a good education. I had a career that I loved. I took great pleasure from books, art, theater, sports, music, playing tennis and golf, food, cars, woodworking projects, my yard, and travel.

I met many good people and made some true friends during my life. I was blessed with Marie, the finest person I’ve ever known to be my wife, partner, and friend for over 50 years. I am thankful”. Brian R. Smith

Brian was born in Waltham, Mass. to James R. “Bob” and Helene Kolegue Smith. His father was in the US Air Force and his duty stations took the family to Maine, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Morocco, North Carolina, and finally Langley Air Force Base.

Brian spent over 30 years teaching Junior High and Middle School Social Studies in Hampton City Schools. He coached tennis and track and taught some of his students to play chess. He was fortunate enough to keep up with many of his students over the years and it always brought him joy to see them as adults.

He loved researching and planning travel adventures. His favorite place was in Acadia Park in Maine. He and his wife found a secret cove there with a huge “rock" that had been warmed by the sun, perfect for napping. He went to that rock every time he traveled to Maine. He also loved New York City, Key West, Savannah, and France and his research led to many interesting places and experiences.

He loved to cook and to plan interesting menus when friends came over to share a meal. He enjoyed weekly golf rounds with the same group of guys for over 20 years. He was generous to everyone, especially to children where he was known to give a huge boxes of toys at baby showers for the children of our friends who were becoming parents. He appreciated the good work of servers and treated them well. He especially enjoyed the gym and the wonderful friends he made there. He was very outgoing and welcoming and met no stranger. He enjoyed life and lived it well.

Brian is survived by his wife, Marie, his brother Jay Smith and family of Chesterfield,Va., his nephew, David Loftus and wife Kristy and great nieces Julia and Laura Loftus all of Purcellville, Va..

His family would like to thank our friends, neighbors, cousins, and his golf and gym buddies who have supported us at the end of his journey with cards, flowers, texts, letters, pictures, food, comfort, prayers, and more. And a special thank you goes to Linda and Ray Smith, Jeanne Macomber, Martha Morris, Cliff Credle, Parkie Rice, Melany Libby, David Pugh, Greg Swain, Erin Molloy, Robbi Nadeau, Jim and Kathy Baldwin, Ruth Winslow, Don and Brandy Watkins, Andrea and Amanda Wallace, Claire Bradley, Marjorie Smalls, Letia Drewery, Mary Jane Ransom, Joanne Ross, and the people of Sentara Hospice and R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home for their special kindnesses.