1943
Steve
2016
Steve Smith
November 27, 1943 — May 8, 2016
Pembroke
Steve L. Smith, 72, recently of Pembroke, GA and formerly of Lowell, MA passed away on Sunday, May 8, 2016 following a 15 month battle with cancer. Steve was born on November 27, 1943 in E. Brewton, Alabama to the late Beatrice (Slagle) and Dan W. Smith. He spent the last 43 years of his life in happiness with his partner and wife, Anne M. Barton.
Steve enlisted in the Navy at 17 and was a crew member on the USS Epperson, part of the flotilla of ships at sea to retrieve Astronaut John Glen’s space capsule and cover the waters outside Cuba during the Bay of Pigs conflict. He was home ported in Hawaii where he met his first wife with whom he had two children. For several years he made his home in Lynn, MA where he attended school to become a Class A machinist, working for General Electric. He went on to marry again, Donna (Gilmore) Smith with whom he had one child.
In 1973 he met his current wife, Anne, and they relocated to Lowell, MA. Together they both completed their High School educations at the Lowell Adult Education Program, being members of the first graduating class in 1979 to earn their GED’s. Steve went on to Northern Essex Community College (NECC) earning his Associate Degree in Business Management with honors in 1982. He was president of the Student Council, Activities Committee and a member of the International Club. He continued his college education at the University of Lowell. He was a member of the crew team, being proud of his team’s victory over the Coast Guard Team in 1983. He completed his bachelor’s Degree in Business/Human Relations, worked in research and development on early computer printers, and eventually earned his insurance broker’s license and went on to open Steve L. Smith Insurance in 1989, which he ran until his retirement in 2008.
He was extremely proud of the home he purchased with his wife in Lowell known as the historic Flint Farm House on Liberty Street. He and his wife worked diligently to restore the house and were happy when they found the perfect couple to complete its full restoration. With an interest in home renovations Steve was a founding member of “Christmas in April” now known as “Rebuilding Together” an organization coming together once a year to assist less fortunate homeowners with needed repairs. He also volunteered weekly for many years at the House of Hope homeless shelter helping with early renovations and meals. The city of Lowell was a real home to Steve, offering many rewarding opportunities over his 32 years there.
In 2011 when his wife retired from her position with the City of Lowell’s Planning Department, he relocated to their new home in Pembroke, GA. As a young man Steve lived in nearby Ellabell, GA and was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying fishing, hunting and being one with nature. He had many interests and hobbies, all of which he approached with a keen obsession, including martial arts, motorcycles, classic cars, and woodworking. He was a founding member of Modified Motorcycles of America (MMA), and amassed a collection of several classic cars. His favorite pastime became wood carving and his talent in this area was notable. He created several artistic pieces and learned mold making to cast the figures and carvings he created. He was an early member of “Art Alive” in Lowell and then the Arts League of Lowell and continued to be active in the local art scene until health issues slowed his involvement.
Steve was a friend to every man and always extended a hand to help when he could. He leaves behind his wife, Anne Barton of Pembroke, GA; son Daniel W., daughter Sherrie (Smith) McCarthy; step daughter’s Kerrie Nicholson, and Mellissa McIntyre of his first wife; daughter Stephanie L. Smith (his namesake) and stepdaughter Tammy Ciafardoni; his ex-wife Donna (Gilmore) Smith and several grandchildren he was very proud of, Steven James and Heather McCarthy, Victoria (Miranda) Santos, Breanna Lakin, Anthony Buruca, Reyna Buruca, Jack Smith and one great-granddaughter Emarie Santos, brothers Milton and Buster along with their wives Brenda and Shirley and several beloved nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents and first wife Anne Parianos; brothers Bill Wesley, George Rankin, Jessie Dan, David Leo; sisters Mary Victoria and Cynthia Denise and his best friend Blue.
At his request there will be no services.
Donations in his memory can be made to the Pembroke Arts Festival, PO Box 1453, Pembroke, MA 02359.
To sign the online register, please visit www.flandersmorrisonfuneralhome.com
Flanders Morrison Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for Steve L. Smith.
Steve L. Smith, 72, recently of Pembroke, GA and formerly of Lowell, MA passed away on Sunday, May 8, 2016 following a 15 month battle with cancer. Steve was born on November 27, 1943 in E. Brewton, Alabama to the late Beatrice (Slagle) and Dan W. Smith. He spent the last 43 years of his life in happiness with his partner and wife, Anne M. Barton.
Steve enlisted in the Navy at 17 and was a crew member on the USS Epperson, part of the flotilla of ships at sea to retrieve Astronaut John Glen’s space capsule and cover the waters outside Cuba during the Bay of Pigs conflict. He was home ported in Hawaii where he met his first wife with whom he had two children. For several years he made his home in Lynn, MA where he attended school to become a Class A machinist, working for General Electric. He went on to marry again, Donna (Gilmore) Smith with whom he had one child.
In 1973 he met his current wife, Anne, and they relocated to Lowell, MA. Together they both completed their High School educations at the Lowell Adult Education Program, being members of the first graduating class in 1979 to earn their GED’s. Steve went on to Northern Essex Community College (NECC) earning his Associate Degree in Business Management with honors in 1982. He was president of the Student Council, Activities Committee and a member of the International Club. He continued his college education at the University of Lowell. He was a member of the crew team, being proud of his team’s victory over the Coast Guard Team in 1983. He completed his bachelor’s Degree in Business/Human Relations, worked in research and development on early computer printers, and eventually earned his insurance broker’s license and went on to open Steve L. Smith Insurance in 1989, which he ran until his retirement in 2008.
He was extremely proud of the home he purchased with his wife in Lowell known as the historic Flint Farm House on Liberty Street. He and his wife worked diligently to restore the house and were happy when they found the perfect couple to complete its full restoration. With an interest in home renovations Steve was a founding member of “Christmas in April” now known as “Rebuilding Together” an organization coming together once a year to assist less fortunate homeowners with needed repairs. He also volunteered weekly for many years at the House of Hope homeless shelter helping with early renovations and meals. The city of Lowell was a real home to Steve, offering many rewarding opportunities over his 32 years there.
In 2011 when his wife retired from her position with the City of Lowell’s Planning Department, he relocated to their new home in Pembroke, GA. As a young man Steve lived in nearby Ellabell, GA and was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying fishing, hunting and being one with nature. He had many interests and hobbies, all of which he approached with a keen obsession, including martial arts, motorcycles, classic cars, and woodworking. He was a founding member of Modified Motorcycles of America (MMA), and amassed a collection of several classic cars. His favorite pastime became wood carving and his talent in this area was notable. He created several artistic pieces and learned mold making to cast the figures and carvings he created. He was an early member of “Art Alive” in Lowell and then the Arts League of Lowell and continued to be active in the local art scene until health issues slowed his involvement.
Steve was a friend to every man and always extended a hand to help when he could. He leaves behind his wife, Anne Barton of Pembroke, GA; son Daniel W., daughter Sherrie (Smith) McCarthy; step daughter’s Kerrie Nicholson, and Mellissa McIntyre of his first wife; daughter Stephanie L. Smith (his namesake) and stepdaughter Tammy Ciafardoni; his ex-wife Donna (Gilmore) Smith and several grandchildren he was very proud of, Steven James and Heather McCarthy, Victoria (Miranda) Santos, Breanna Lakin, Anthony Buruca, Reyna Buruca, Jack Smith and one great-granddaughter Emarie Santos, brothers Milton and Buster along with their wives Brenda and Shirley and several beloved nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents and first wife Anne Parianos; brothers Bill Wesley, George Rankin, Jessie Dan, David Leo; sisters Mary Victoria and Cynthia Denise and his best friend Blue.
At his request there will be no services.
Donations in his memory can be made to the Pembroke Arts Festival, PO Box 1453, Pembroke, MA 02359.
To sign the online register, please visit www.flandersmorrisonfuneralhome.com
Flanders Morrison Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for Steve L. Smith.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Steve Smith, please visit our flower store.