Charles Lyle "Chuck" Smith

Charles "Chuck" Lyle Smith, 67, of Granby, beloved husband of Debra Anne Mendez Smith, passed away after a brief illness on Monday, January 26, 2026, at UConn Medical Center in Farmington. Born in Great Falls, MT, Chuck was raised in Montana and Alaska and was orphaned at a young age when his mother and three sisters died in a house fire. Chuck was later adopted by his mother's brother and his wife, Lyle John Smith, Sr. and Silke Magda (Schultz) Smith, and was raised with his six siblings. Chuck attended Dillingham City Schools in Dillingham, AK and was a graduate of Dillingham High School.

After high school, Chuck wanted to see the world and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps just after the conclusion of the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged in 1982 as a Lance Corporal.

Chuck ultimately settled in Connecticut where he raised his six children and worked for many years as a truck driver.

A loving father, Chuck was involved in many of his children's activities serving as a Boy Scout Leader and always taking his children on outdoor adventures.

A health nut and a lover of the great outdoors since he was a child, Chuck loved running, hiking, camping, and always staying active. He was a great neighbor and loved helping elderly people in the community taking them shopping, to doctors appointments, and to visit relatives.

In his spare time, Chuck also enjoyed writing and often wrote long stories drawing on adventures from his life. He was musically inclined and started playing the piano as a young boy and later played the saxophone in high school.

Most of all, Chuck was a dedicated Christian, an avid reader of God's word – The Bible, and he always strived to live out his faith by sharing the love of Christ with his family, his coworkers, and his neighbors. Most recently, Chuck had been attending Calvary Chapel in Hawaii virtually with his wife Debra.

In addition to his loving wife, he leaves five children, Heather C. Smith of Canaan, Christopher Q. Smith of Tariffville, Spencer C. Smith of Granby, Cathryn Q. Smith and her husband Robin Fernandez of Cornwall, and Victoria C. Naehrig and her husband Adam of Harwinton; three grandchildren, Autumn McCone of Canaan, Lucas Naehrig of Harwinton, and Asher Naehrig of Harwinton; five brothers, Deon Smith of Alaska, Eddy Smith of Alaska, Tiel Smith of Alaska, Niel Smith of Alaska, and Kaleb Smith of Minnesota; and two sisters, Eike En Kley of Washington and Tanya Privratsky Lipton and her husband Rob of Sheridan, MT.

He was predeceased by his parents, Lyle J. Smith Sr. and Silke M. Smith; his birth parents, Laura (Smith) Privratsky and Robert Privratsky; a son, Connor D. Smith; and three sisters, Adella Privratsky, Roberta Privratsky, and Christie Privratsky.

His family will receive friends on Tuesday, February 3, 10-11:30 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11:30 a.m., at the Hayes-Huling & Carmon Funeral Home, 364 Salmon Brook St., Granby. In recognition of Chuck's military service, representatives from the United States Marine Corps will conduct Military Honors at the conclusion of the service. Burial will be at a later date in Granby Cemetery, North Granby Road, Granby.