George F. "Skip" Smith

Chief George F. "Skip" Smith

Lamoine

High on the wall above his home desk, beside the accolades of Lamoine Citizen of the Year 2023 and Maine State Spirit of America Foundation award presented by the 132nd legislature and the people of Maine, hangs a rustic wood sign representing the heart and true legacy of Chief Smith. "One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure its worth watching." And so, he has.

Born George Forrest Smith in Blue Hill Maine to parents Clavin R. and Mary H. (Stillwell) Smith of Lamoine on February 17, 1949. Skip passed quietly in the night on February 13, 2026, to that all-encompassing vacation resort known as Heaven, with golf clubs, DeMarini bat, glove and Bourbon on ice in hand.

Those who attended the Lamoine one room schoolhouse may recall a young Skip restlessly standing in the front row of the annual school picture with coon skin cap cocked sideways and shotgun resting between his legs in anticipation of what was known then as physical activity – hunting at recess. Although he never harmed anything in his life, Skip always looked forward to taking his gun "for a walk" each fall.

Skip being an avid reader and history buff, traveled to many historical sites over the years. Initially travelling by car to places such as Gettysburg, Arlington, Philadelphia, Jamestown, and the Freedom Trail to name a few. Once his wife coaxed him onto his first plane ride (Bangor to Hawaii) to Pearl Harbor, he was packed and ready for the Mayan ruins in Chichenitza and Tulum, the Roman Colosseum, Pompei, France, Ireland, and the War rooms of London ahead of everyone else.

Skip was a firm believer in George Santayana's 1905 saying, "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it." He was quick to remind people when they failed to keep up with current events and applied his theory to all aspects of his life, both public and private.

After graduation from Ellsworth High School in 1967 Skip volunteered for service in the U.S. Navy only to find out quickly thereafter, the Nation lacked interest in a Maine boy with funny toes and profound White Coat Syndrome.

Quickly brushing off his bruised ego, Skip pivoted to what turned out to be lifelong careers. His first love actually began early in life when at the ripe old age of 2 years old he was entered into a beauty contest starring his flaxen curls. For that, he earned his first red fire truck and the rest is history. As one fellow firefighter and friend noted, Skip had an "uncommon ability to bring people together" as evidenced by the band of firefighters he maintained and the annual support of the community that respected him.

Skip was referred to as the "quiet man with the eye of an artist" by those who understand the complexity of a craft such as stone masonry. Some friends may dispute that, having known him as an "Animal" during his Class A Championship softball days. Following in his father's footsteps, Skip became a master stone mason. Over the years he traveled through New England building Count Rumford style fireplaces, schools, homes, patios, and the EHS dugouts. His work culminated in hundreds of examples of monolithic artistry that will remain for future generations.

Skip is survived by his wife of 54 years, Carol (Phillips) Smith; daughters, Alisha Rose, Megan Maheux and her husband, Christopher; four grandchildren, Brandon and Emily Rose, Kahia and Sawyer Maheux; and great-granddaughter, Leila Rose.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 11 am- 12:30 pm, February 28, 2026 Lamoine School where a service of remembrance will follow. A reception will be held at the Lamoine Fire House immediately following the services. Spring interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery, Lamoine.

Those who desire may make contributions in Skip's memory to Skip's legacy project of providing a LifeVac tool to each Hancock County Fire Rescue Department. Contributions can be sent to Hancock Fire Fighters Association Attn: Chief Smith Legacy Fund PO Box 154 Ellsworth, Maine 04605.

Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com