William Smith

Ipswich, MA – William R. Smith, 92, passed away peacefully September 24, 2023 in Whippany, NJ. He is now at peace and reunited with the love of his life, Alice H Smith, who passed three months earlier, June 24, 2023. Their love and commitment to each other held strong and true right to their final days. Bill was born April 24, 1931 in Tewksbury, MA, to John Robert and Josephine (Perkowska) Smith. He was the middle child of three including his older brother, John Smith, who has since passed and his younger sister, Barbara Driscoll, of Tewksbury, MA. He grew up in Tewksbury where he was especially close with his sister Barbara, just a couple years apart in age. Even in his final days, he fondly recalled childhood memories fishing, gardening, taking care of their chickens, going to the movies, listening to the Lone Ranger on the radio and running to the mailbox each day awaiting a letter from Johnnie when he was away during the war. In 1953, Bill earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry at UMass, Lowell. He then moved to Brooklyn, NY where he worked in plant science research and completed his master’s degree at Brooklyn Polytech. Upon graduation, he accepted a chemical engineer position at Monsanto and returned to MA. A few years later, he moved to Polaroid in Cambridge, MA where he worked as a chemist until retirement. Bill and Alice married June 9,1962 and had two children, Paula and Jeffrey. They had a collaborative and caring relationship, based on mutual support, shared values and a deep love for each other. They recently celebrated their 61st anniversary together, hand in hand. Since 1971, they lived in Ipswich, MA, where they built a home upon a hill surrounded by nature overlooking a pond and stream. As they both loved nature and having animals and pets running around, their home became their sanctuary. Weekends were spent working in their large garden which provided food throughout the year. Bill enjoyed keeping beautiful flower gardens, bird watching, walks on hiking trails or along the beach, rides along the coast, reading, playing piano and day trips to Boston where he enjoyed perusing through university bookstores for the latest scientific journals. As they grew older, they especially enjoyed their afternoon puzzle time and sitting together outside on their swing surrounded by a variety of birds, trees, and beautiful flowers. Surviving family members include his daughter, Paula and her partner John of Kinnelon, NJ; his son, Jeffrey and his wife Cherith of Jamestown, ND; his sister, Barbara Driscoll of Tewksbury, MA; 5 grandchildren, Daniel and Cara, and Jonathon, Alexis and Hannah; 4 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. A burial service will be held October 28, 2023 at 11:00 at Hillside Cemetery, Seabrook, NH. Family and friends are respectively invited. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to help prevent dementia in Bill’s memory to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund by clicking here or by mail to 34 Washington St., Suite 310, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481

William Smith

April 24, 1931 - September 24, 2023