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James W. “Smitty” Smith

Family & friends are invited to attend Memorial Visiting Hours in the Vertuccio & Smith, Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Rt. 107) REVERE on Thursday, November 14th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., for James W. “Smitty” Smith, who passed away following a long illness on November 6th. He was 79 years of age. A Funeral Service will follow the visitation in the funeral home at 7:15 p.m. Interment will be private. Parking available in lot left of the funeral home.

Born and raised in Chelsea, he was the son of the late Herbert H. and Alice (Hicks) Smith. He attended Chelsea schools and was a graduate of Chelsea High School. Following high school, he continued his education enrolling at Bridgewater State University earning his bachelor’s degree. He married Mary Rose (Orluk) and the couple began their family together and made their residence in Woburn where he remained for the past 40+ years. Smitty, as he was affectionately known by family and friends, was a teacher in Woburn schools for the entirety of his career teaching at the Daniel L. Joyce Middle School and later in Woburn High School. During those years, he earned the respect of not only his students but also his fellow faculty members. He also served as a Track and Football coach for a number of years. A devoted husband and father, family was paramount to him and he was dedicated to his family; always looking after them and guiding them even as his children grew to become adults. His greatest honor was when he became a grandfather to his only granddaughter Ryleigh. She was his pride and joy and she adored him, and they loved spending time together.

He is the beloved husband of 44 years to Mary Rose (Orluk) Smith of Woburn. Devoted father of Erin E. Smith, Ryan J. Smith & Julie M. Smith & her fiancé Jess Davis, all of Woburn & admired role model of Michael Brady of Lowell. Adored grandfather of Ryleigh. Dear brother of Robert Smith & wife Linda of Lynn & the late Richard Smith, Irma Ajewski, Edward Smith & brother-in-law to Michael Ajewski & his companion Cara LaCourse of Saugus. Cherished uncle of Denise Hache’ & husband Jason and their children; Connor & Cadence & Kenny Smith, Peter Smith and David Smith & his wife Robyn & the late Charles M. Ajewski.

Services

Memorial Visiting Hours

Thursday, November 14th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Funeral Service

Thursday, November 14th at 7:15 p.m. in the funeral home

Interment

Will be Private

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the American Cancer Society, 3 Speen St., Ste. 250, Framingham, MA 01701.

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6 Messages Send your condolences
  1. Rich Gangi
    Nov 15 2019

    Mr. Smith was most certainly one of a kind. He was a great teacher with an amazing sense of humor. You knew if he liked you….or didn’t.

    All my love to his family and friends. RIP, sir. Thank you.

  2. Leoni
    Nov 14 2019

    Ryan my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. What a good and generous man your father was. He was always there for my mom and I when ever we needed him. I will never forget all he did for us. I’m very blessed of knowing him and having him in my life as close to a father for 23 years. I will always be thankful.

    I will miss him always.

    May god bring you and your family peace and comfort everyday

    I love you,
    Leoni

  3. Marky P Bonish
    Nov 14 2019

    Mr Smith was my favorite teacher from my three years at Woburn High, always respectful and always a class act!! My deepest condolences to Julie and the rest of the Smith family. He was a great man who was loved by all and will be greatly missed.

  4. Kenny Langone
    Nov 10 2019

    My sincerest condolences to Julie and the rest of the family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

  5. Joseph Maltacea
    Nov 10 2019

    Mary my heartfelt condolences to you and your family. I wish I could be there, but we are away. Jimmy was a good man. We had many good times teaching and coaching together. Again, my sincerest condolences to you and Ryan,Erin and Julie.

  6. Olivia "Robin" Mello
    Nov 9 2019

    Erin: Prayers and blessings out for you, Ryleigh and your family in your Dad’s memory. Always in your hearts and watching over all of you with love.

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To all our families, friends, and residents of Revere, East Boston, and surrounding communities of the North Shore,

We would like to announce that after 37 years of caring for thousands of families at our 773 Broadway location, on January 31st, 2023 we will be officially RELOCATING, to our new location at 262 Beach St., Revere.
On September 30th, 2022, we proudly purchased the Vazza “Beechwood” Funeral Home – DiPietro and Vazza, Inc. A name that has served families for 102 years. We feel blessed that with all of the interest, the Vazza Family chose us to carry on their century old business and family name. We will become Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals. We will continue to honor the Vazza name and continue our commitment the same way that we always have. We also look forward to having both Louis Vazza and Jessica Vazza Ferragamo alongside of us, as we come together as one.
Our reputation has always been our biggest asset. For many years people always wanted us to have a larger facility, now our facility is the largest funeral home in the area. We will be making many beautiful upgrades to allow our families to have the most elegant facility to honor their loved one.
Although this announcement is bittersweet, as we say goodbye to our home, we are forever grateful for all of you for placing your constant faith and trust in us to care for your loved one. We will continue to do what we are best known for.
Thank you for your friendship and continued support.
God bless you all.
Faithfully,

Your friends at Vertuccio Smith and Vazza.

To all our families, friends, and residents of Revere, East Boston, and surrounding communities of the North Shore,

We would like to announce that after 37 years of caring for thousands of families at our 773 Broadway location, on January 31st, 2023 we will be officially RELOCATING, to our new location at 262 Beach St., Revere.

On September 30th, 2022, we proudly purchased the Vazza “Beechwood” Funeral Home – DiPietro and Vazza, Inc. A name that has served families for 102 years. We feel blessed that with all of the interest, the Vazza Family chose us to carry on their century old business and family name. We will become Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals. We will continue to honor the Vazza name and continue our commitment the same way that we always have. We also look forward to having both Louis Vazza and Jessica Vazza Ferragamo alongside of us, as we come together as one.

Our reputation has always been our biggest asset. For many years people always wanted us to have a larger facility, now our facility is the largest funeral home in the area. We will be making many beautiful upgrades to allow our families to have the most elegant facility to honor their loved one.

Although this announcement is bittersweet, as we say goodbye to our home, we are forever grateful for all of you for placing your constant faith and trust in us to care for your loved one. We will continue to do what we are best known for.

Thank you for your friendship and continued support.

God bless you all.

Faithfully,

Your friends at Vertuccio Smith and Vazza.