PLYMOUTH – Arthur C. Smith, 72, passed away Nov. 14, 2006, at the Craven Regional Medical Center in New Bern, NC, with his family at his side.
Also known as Art or Smitty, Arthur was born in North Bergen, N.J., on Dec. 25, 1933, son of the late Arthur F. and Elizabeth (Kuttler) Smith. He lived in New Jersey for 50 years where he followed in his father’s footsteps and worked at Bendix Aviation, Teterboro, N.J., as a final assembler. He also served as an Executive board member of the U.A.W. 153 Union throughout his career. Art was fortunate enough to retire early in 1984, after 32 years.
Art and his family moved to Plymouth, where he followed his lifelong dream to build and live in his own log home, where he resided for the next 21 years. During his retirement years, he pursued his passion of woodworking and started his own business, “Work of Arts.” He also worked for a short time at B.F. Goodrich in Norwich. Art was a member of the American Legion Post 189, where he enjoyed the company of many friends and acquaintances.
Art and his wife, Elaine, then moved to Swansboro, N.C., and were fortunate enough to enjoy the warm weather for a year before his unexpected passing.
Art is survived by his wife of 52 years, Elaine (Staudt) Smith, and their three children: Kathy Krucher and her husband Thomas of Norwich, Fredrick Smith and his wife Susan of Wanaque, N.J., and Kim Steward and her husband Jeffrey of Norwich. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren: David McMinn and Katrina McMinn, Morgan Steward and Lindsey Steward of Norwich, Jeffrey Redner, Bradley Smith and Blake Smith of Wanaque, N.J. He was predeceased by his son, Arthur Michael Smith, in 1984.
A memorial service for Art will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Church of the Holy Apostle St. Paul’s. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Art may be made to his favorite charity: The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, www.cff.org: or P.O. Box 96305, Washington, DC 20090-6305.
Arrangements are by the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home.