March 16, 1949 - November 20, 2014.
DOVER, NH - Neil Smith, of Dover, NH, died Thursday afternoon at his home after a long battle with cancer.
Born in East Orange, New Jersey on March 16th, 1949, he grew up in Upper Darby, outside of Philadelphia, PA. Neil graduated from Penn Charter School in 1967, where he was a gifted athlete who competed in football, wrestling, and track and field. He set several school records during his senior year, one of which still stands today. He would compete on the track team at Dennison University and went on to graduate in 1971.
Neil served in the United States Peace Corps in Iran from 1971-73, where he taught English in the village of Kalat-e-Naderi. After his service in the Corps, he stayed in Iran to teach English at the Iranian Air Force Academy for two more years, and afterward traveled throughout Europe, where he lived with friends in England before returning to the US in 1976.
After his return, Neil went on to do graduate work at the University of Pennsylvania and teach English composition at various public and private schools throughout the country, eventually meeting his future wife Kerry McCollester at Cushing Academy in Ashburnham, MA in 1978. They would marry on June 9th, 1979 in Mt. Hermon, MA. After their union, they moved to Miami, FL, where they had their first son, Daniel. Afterward, they moved to Greenfield, MA, where Dan would be joined by brothers James, Anthony, and Graham. In 1991, Neil moved his family to Madbury, NH, where he spent the next 23 years raising his children and touching the lives of his family and friends with his sense of humor and profound kindness.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Kerry, his four sons, Daniel, James, Anthony, and Graham, as well as his siblings, Leland, Stuart, and Phoebe and numerous nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to attend funeral services at the Church of St. Thomas More in Durham, NH, on Tuesday, November 25th at 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to NHSPCA or Cornerstone VNA and Hospice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Tasker Funeral Home 621 Central Ave Dover NH 03820
Please go to www.taskerfh.com to sign the on-line guest book.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Recorder on Nov. 22, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Neil Smith

25 Entries

Elaine Sylvester

November 15, 2019

It was a pleasure having Neil and his family as neighbors. As the neighborhood changes and we prepare to move into Riverwoods Durham, we often talk about the "old days" here and how much we've loved living here. We miss you.

Hal, Neil, John Mashad, Iran 1970

John Giordano

March 7, 2015

I traveled with Neil and Hal Aioki to his site in Iran, Kalat el Naderi, it took days for the "bus" to arrive-it was an oil tanker. While waiting we went to a photo studio and dressed up in hajj gear and I have always had that photo with me. I hope you have that one too. He was a gentle, kind, thoughtful guy and it was a pleasure to know him. I just typed his name into Safari hoping to find him, and, well. . . a sad reunion for me.

Kathleen Lynch Quinn

November 30, 2014

Dear Kerry and family,
It has been at least 50 years since I saw any of my Smith cousins. John Lattanzi let me know about Neil's death and the courage he showed during his illness. It was interesting to see that Neil was in the Peace Corps, as our daughter served in Bolivia as a Peace Corps volunteer. May your memories bring you comfort. We will keep you and your family in our prayers.

November 28, 2014

Dear Kerry and Family,
My thoughts are with you at this time. Neil and I worked together at the Phoenix in Greenfield and I always enjoyed my conversations with him both about work and kids and life in general.
When he left to go to work for Liberty we kept in touch for a while but I kind of lost track of him, but thout about you guys at times when driving on Davis St near your old house.
Take care and know that many people in the Greenfield area are mourning your loss.
Walter Boyd

Elaine Sylvester

November 26, 2014

Dear Kerry, We are so sorry for your loss. I think of you often when looking through the woods and remembering your sons and ours and all the activity. Neil was always working around the house. I'm so glad you spoke to me in the gallery. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Don and Elaine #36

Nancy Powers

November 26, 2014

Kerry and family,
No words will be able to ease the pain of your loss. time is the only balm that will soothe the sting of death. I pray that the memories shared by friends and family will bring comfort and laughter as you remember Neil . Those things that bring a smile to your face are God's reminders letting know you were blessed to have him in your life.

jeanne emerson

November 25, 2014

Kerry,
My heart aches for you and your sons.
love, Jeanne

Cornerstone VNA/Hospice

November 25, 2014

Kerry and family,

All of us at Cornerstone VNA & Hospice reach out in love and in sorrow to you and your family at this most difficult time. Please know that we keep you all in our hearts and in our prayers. Our heartfelt sympathies are with you.

Jeff Kramer

November 25, 2014

I had the great honor of working with Neil for many years at Liberty. He had the best sense of humor and a tireless work ethic. We shared a love of M&Ms and sarcasm. My deepest sympathy to the entire family.

Amy Russell

November 24, 2014

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult time.

June Gallup

November 24, 2014

Kerry and family- Deepest sympathy on your loss.

Jun, Dave and Adrian Gallup

Pamela Barksdale

November 24, 2014

Dear Kerry, Dan, James, Tony and Graham,
I will not be able to see little Rosie when I look out my door or walk down my path, and not think of Neal. Every time I saw him, she was attached to him and so happy. I loved the gentle way he called her sweetheart, and that's what Neal was to me, a true sweetheart, kind and gentle and open to all of life, which, of course, includes this poignant sadness.
God bless you,Neal, and Kerry, and boys. And little Rosie who gave him an authentic joy during an impossible time.

Jim Fleury

November 24, 2014

Kerry, Daniel, James, Tony, and Graham. I'm sorry for your loss. Neil was a great guy, a good friend to me and I'm sure an even better husband and father. Jim

Melissa Sheehan

November 24, 2014

Thinking of you and your family with much love and prayers.

Jen Boulay

November 24, 2014

I am o sorry for your loss, all my prayers to you and your family

November 24, 2014

Kerry and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers are with you all, JoAnn Pearson

November 23, 2014

Dear Kerry and sons,
Neil was a part of my life since I was in grade school, and my family loved him. I admired him in so many ways, but none as great as this past year when he sat with us when my brother Michael was leaving us. Your sons are blessed to call such a man their father. I wish you all peace and strength on the long road to healing. with love, Norma (Centrella) Burns

November 23, 2014

IM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, KAREN HAYESPETERSON

Tony DeFide

November 23, 2014

Kerry,

We are very saddened to hear of Neil's passing. He was a good friend who will be dearly missed. Our sincere sympathy to you and your sons. May loving memories of Neil help get you through a difficult time.

Nicki Smith

November 23, 2014

Kerry and sons, I only met Neil a few times but he seemed a very kind soul. I work with Kerry and I love her very much! I know nothing can ease your pain right now but I pray that happy memories will help you heal.

Jackie vice-black

November 22, 2014

Kerry
I never met anyone more optimistic and upbeat than Neil. I first met you both when your twins were about six months old and you were both exhausted caring for for little boys. Despite having friends invade on you for several days, neither of you made us feel anything but extremely welcome.
David and I are extremely grateful that we enjoyed two glorious days with you , Neil, your wonderful three young men.despite how sick he was feeling, Neil never lost his sense of humor and his appreciation for his good friends.

Now that his personal suffering is over, the real suffering begins for those of us left behind without him. May the wonderful memories of his love for you and his family sustain you in the difficult days ahead. You are in our prayers and our thoughts constantly and we are here to support you in anyway we possibly can. Much love to you, Danny,James, Tony, Graham.
Neil: you are forever in our hearts. Sleep well my friend.

Dale Silver

November 22, 2014

We have been living at opposite ends of the country but you have never been too far from my thoughts. I am saddened by your loss and will keep you in my prayers.

Dale

Dick Peller

November 22, 2014

Dear Kerry,
I was saddened to read of the death of Neil today in the Recorder.
You and your family have my condolences.
May you be buoyed by good and strong memories.
Fondly,
Dick Peller

Nina Centrella

November 21, 2014

Dear Kerry and boys,

In November 2013, Neil came to visit Michael here at my house in Minnesota. Michael had wonderful boyhood friends that always made sure they kept in touch & visited each other especially in time of need. Nothing would stop them. I have known Neil for about 43 years & then Kerry. Both of you came to two of my children's weddings, driving across country to Chicago & to the Pittsburgh area. We took our son, Louie, to your wedding & he must have been about a year old. I remember Neil in Michael's basement at Mason Avenue telling about Iran & the Peace Corps. I have two pieces of cloths that he gave us from Iran now still on my tables in my house. Neil was a driver for our wedding he came over to my house where I grew up to pick up a bridesmaid. Tonight I was looking at your address & it is dated June 2013 when I changed it. Michael came to visit you in your new condo. Could that be, that is the year Michael passed that was also unexpected? Neil was always a very kind, caring & understanding person. Kerry, this is going to be very hard. But I know you are a strong person. You have lost your best friend, companion, and soul mate just as I have almost a year ago. I send my prayers and love to you, and the boys. I pray for peace and comfort. I believe that Michael & Neil are both together supporting each other in their new life & we will be with them again also.
Hugs to all of you, Nina

Lou Centrella

November 21, 2014

Dear Kerry, siblings and boys,

I have heard about Neil for about 50 years but didn't meet him until my brother Mike got sick and passed. Neil and Mike had a real friendship for a long time. He was a kind, sensitive man in my view and I was amazed that he chose to drive all the way down to Media for Mike's service.

There are no words I can write to console you about this horrible turn of events. Loss is a part of life, and it can make us better people. Only time will help, and lots of it.

Since Mike left us, I have come to believe that there is something else going on after our time here. I believe Neil and Mike are in touch with each other already and the day will come when all of you are united again.

I wrote Neil and told him this when he got sick, and I know I will see him again.
You all have a tough road ahead so be good to each other and yourselves. Grieving is not easy, and we really need to let the tears flow when they come. We need to feel the pain and share it or we only postpone healing.

You and Neil are all in my heart and prayers. He left us way too soon.

Warm hugs from Wyoming.

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