Clement Vaughn Smith III

Clement Vaughn Smith III, age 90, passed away peacefully at home on September 23, 2025.

Born in Lexington, VA, he was the son of the late Clement and Grace (Gorman) Smith. He is predeceased by his loving wife of 58 years, Frances (Mullin) Smith, and son, Clement V. Smith IV.

Clem/Vaughn's early years were filled with frequent moves with time spent in many states including Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, New York, and Massachusetts, as well as internationally in Bolivia, St. Thomas, and Puerto Rico. He was a 1953 graduate of Stoughton High School in Stoughton, MA and received his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Rhode Island in 1976.

Clem/Vaughn began his career as a draftsman. Relying on his inherent analytical abilities, he became a designer and self-educated engineer. He also served in the Massachusetts National Guard and Army Reserve as a medic. The majority of his work years were spent at Bird Machine in Walpole where he worked for 26 years, from 1963 to 1989, during which he achieved great success and travelled extensively, both domestically and internationally, to solve engineering and design issues.

He met the love of his life, Frances "Franny" Mullin at Moseley's On the Charles Ballroom in Dedham in 1957, married two years later on Valentine's Day in 1959, and started a family shortly thereafter. They eventually settled in Attleboro, MA where they raised seven children. Over the course of many decades, the family treasured spending time with extended family at Camp Mullin, a home Franny's parents built in Crowe's Pasture in E. Dennis.

Clem/Vaughn was an avid runner, skier and sailor who stayed very active well into his late 80s. He owned several sailboats over the years and was particularly proud of the 20-ft Luger he successfully built. He cruised extensively with Franny and other family members in Cape Cod Bay and to many ports-of-call including Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, Cuttyhunk, and Block Island. Oftentimes, some of their children joined them as well. After Franny's passing in 2017, he was often seen walking along the Cape Cod Canal starting conversations to engage people to buy the book he authored in 2022 titled My Great Life With A Perfect Wife: A Memoir (available on Amazon).

Known for his memorable phrases and unfiltered honesty, Clem/Vaughn was a man of much gratitude and was extremely proud of the successful lives led by his children and their families. He felt his life was divinely guided by the Creator and was thankful for the many blessings in his life, especially his ability to take care of Franny in her final years.

Clem/Vaughn is survived by his younger brother, John Gorman Smith, and his wife Sydni Smith, as well as his children: Mary Walker and her husband, Scott Walker, of Winthrop, ME; Rebecca Walsh and her husband, Andrew Walsh, of Readfield, ME; Gregory Smith and his wife, Grace San Smith, of Norwood, MA; Joseph Smith and his wife, Egidia Vergano, of East Greenwich, RI; Frances Walsh and her husband, James Walsh, of Hyannis, MA; and Richard Smith and his wife, Chrystal Mancuso-Smith, of Salt Lake City, UT. He was the proud grandfather of Joel Walker and his wife, Brittany Walker, of Lunenburg, MA; Gwendolyn Walsh of Readfield, ME; Emma Walsh of New York, NY; Michelina Smith of New York, NY; Olivia San of Norwood, MA; Genevieve Walsh of Hyannis, MA; and Malcolm Smith of Salt Lake City, UT; and the great grandfather of Finn, Hudson and Isla Walker of Lunenburg, MA. He also leaves many nieces and nephews, their families, and many dear friends.

A private burial will be held, and a celebration of his life will be scheduled at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in his name to The Virtual Center for Velo-Cardio-Facial Syndrome, 8138 Solomon Seal Lane, Manlius, NY 13104 (www.vcfscenter.com) or South Shore Industries, c/o Cardinal Cushing Center, 405 Washington Street, Hanover, MA 02339 (cushingcenters.org/adult-services/) in memory of his son, Clement V. Smith IV.