David D. Smith

David D. Smith 80, passed away peacefully, Thursday, January 20, 2022, at Bridges by EPOCH of Nashua following a short illness. Born, September 13, 1941, in Waterbury, CT. He was the oldest of six children born to the late Alfred J Smith Sr. and Mary Helen (Burke) Smith. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Mary Adrian (Smith) Sutton who died in August, 2009 and his brother, Alfred J “Jim” Smith who died exactly one year ago in January, 2021.

David grew up in Waterbury, CT and graduated from St Margaret’s Grammar School and Sacred Heart High School both in Waterbury. He studied for 1 year at the Seminary of the Congregation of Sacred Heart, Winona, Minnesota and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from the School of Pharmacy at Fordham University. He was awarded a fellowship to Yale University and received a Master of Science in Hospital Administration. He also received an MS degree from Northeastern University with dual majors in Hospital Administration and Drug Administration.

He served as Assistant Director of Tufts New England Medical Center and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, Pittsburgh Eye and Ear, Pittsburgh, PA and Norwalk Hospital, Norwalk, CT. He was most proud of his work at Marshall University Medical Center in Huntington, WV, where he initiated and became the first Director of the Mobile Fleet, the helicopter transportation patient link to the area’s 12 major hospitals. In later years, he worked for PharMerica Healthcare Co., Brockton, MA, overseeing patients’ medications in several Massachusetts nursing facilities. Throughout his professional career he maintained his commitment to improving healthcare and healthcare systems, drawing upon his extensive administrative experience and in-depth pharmaceutical knowledge.

David was an avid New England professional sports fanatic. He especially loved the New England Patriots since their inception in 1960 and also the Boston Red Sox, relishing in both of their championships. David was also a big fan and admired the success of the University of Connecticut Women’s Basketball Team.

He was a big tennis enthusiast and an avid golfer throughout his lifetime. He volunteered for many years as the Director of Marshalls for the Greater Hartford Open PGA Golf Tournament and the Deutsche Bank PGA Golf Classic in Norton, MA, as well as Senior PGA tournaments and LPGA tournaments at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Sutton, MA.

In later years, he participated in Karaoke. He loved to seek out venues to perform in. David always was ready to sing a Jimmy Buffet or Johnny Cash tune. He sang in more than 30 states as well as Scotland and Ireland. David had awesome memories and he continued the friendships he made from singing along the way.

He is survived by 3 children, Amy Kathryn Smith and Christian Patrick Smith of Dalton, NH and Meghan Eileen Smith of New Orleans, LA. 1 brother, Vincent Burke Smith of Thomaston, CT and 2 sisters, Mary Elaine Smith of Woodbury, CT and Mary Deborah (Smith) Palmer of Hudson, NH He enjoyed his nieces and nephews, James, Tracy, Andrew, Devon, Rhea, Jessica, Bernadette, and Gregory and many grand nieces and nephews, who all enjoyed having fun with “Uncle Dave.” A title he treasured. He had a kind heart, gentle manner, always a quick joke and warm smile. It’s often said that people who gravitate to children and animals have a caring soul. David surely did, especially with his visiting puppy friend, Winnie. The impact of his presence was felt by everyone who met David and he will certainly be missed.

David’s family wants to express their deepest thanks to Hospice of Nashua and Bridges of Nashua who took such wonderful care of him. Especially to Christine Smith, one of the nurses at Bridges who not only shared his last name but a beautiful friendship as well as his companion, Betsy.

The Murphy Funeral Home, Willow Street, Waterbury, CT is in charge of arrangements. There will be prayers and burial on Thursday, Jan 27 at 1:00 pm at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 669 Platt Road, Watertown, CT. and on Opening Day for the Boston Red Sox, Thursday, March 31, there will be a celebration of Mass and a service in David’s honor at Sacred Heart Church in Southbury, CT. Covid19 restrictions of vaccinations and/or testing is requested by the family as well as appropriate masking.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations in David’s name be made to Hospice of Nashua, 7 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, NH 03054

Visit www.murphyfuneralhomect.com for more information or to send an online condolence.