Joseph A. Smolko

Beloved husband, father, and grandfather.

Joseph A. "Joe" Smolko, 67, of Pelham, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at Lowell General Hospital in Lowell, MA.

He was the loving husband for over 36 years to Linda A. (French) Smolko, who survives him.

Born in Kingston, PA, April 3, 1958, the son of the late Joseph J. and the late Pauline (Slipetz) Smolko, Joe grew up in Swoyersville, PA and graduated from Bishop O'Reilly High School in the class of 1976.

A proud graduate of Penn State University, Joe received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering in 1980. In 1988, he received his Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering and Mathematics from Northeastern University in Boston, MA.

Joe started his satisfying and impactful engineering career at Harris Engineering in Florida before moving to Raytheon in Tewksbury, MA. He received many accolades and certificates acknowledging his engineering expertise and leadership skills. Joe even received the 2003 Excellence in Technology Award at a ceremony held at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. He finished his illustrious engineering career in Advanced Technologies as an Engineering Fellow after 33 years at Raytheon. Many of the engineering developments Joe helped design and implement are still utilized in the defense industry today.

Joe's number one love was being a Pop-Pop to his grandchildren and spending time with family. He also loved going out to eat and having his favorite drink - a Perfect Manhattan. He had a passion for music, especially 70s rock. Joe shared his love of music through playing guitar and singing in a rock band and in folk groups, where he met his wife, Linda. He was an enthusiastic Penn State and Patriots football fan. To challenge his mind, Joe could be seen solving many a Sudoku puzzle or reading hook-and-twist novels. In his younger days, Joe spent his spare time riding motorcycles, taking his boat out, and playing racquetball. As a father, he enjoyed watching his kids play sports, sharing family dinners, and going on vacations to Disney and other amusement parks. Recently, one of his favorite family vacations was a southern music tour, where he enjoyed jazz, country, and rock music.

Besides his wife, Linda, he is survived by a son, Matthew J. Smolko and his wife Polina of Maynard, MA; two daughters, Nicole Smolko-Jaser and her wife Jenna of Maynard, MA, and Kathryn Maietta and her husband Ryan of Nashua, NH; and three grandchildren, Ace, Lainey, and Maeve.

Joe was the husband of the late Joyce (Janeck) Smolko.

Joe's family would like to extend a very heartfelt thank you to his caregivers – Heidi, Krissy, Jacquelyn, and Voula – for their unwavering care, love, and support. The family would also like to thank the Pelham EMTs, firefighters, and police for assisting Joe over the years.

Friends may call on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at the PELHAM FUNERAL HOME 11 NASHUA RD. in PELHAM from 4 to 7 P.M. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday morning, September 24, 2025, at ST. PATRICK CHURCH in PELHAM at 11 o'clock followed by his burial in the Gibson Cemetery in Pelham, NH. E-condolences/directions at www.pelhamfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in his memory to the American Stroke Association at 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231 or www.stroke.org. Arrangements by Funeral Director James F. O'Donnell, Jr. (603) 635-3333.