Earl Lee Smith of Norwich, VT died in his home after a long tough battle of cancer, on Friday October 13th, 2017. He was 70 years old.
Earl is survived by his wife and caregiver of 38 years Joan Smith (Jarvis), his son, Jonathan Lee Smith (wife Eileen Smith) of Tunbridge, VT and his step children Mary Allen (husband Bruce Allen) of Lebanon, NH, Heather Colletti (Martin) of Lisbon, CT and Timothy Martin (fiancé Tiffany Gordon) of Penacook, NH. Earl was also blessed to have grandchildren from each child including Austin Smith, Nicky Earls (LaBounty), Holly Dillon, Morgan Jaffe, Nathan Colletti, Camden Colletti, Hannah Gordon & Everly Martin as well as 3 great grandchildren Cody Earnest, Jacob Stone and April Marie. Earl is survived also by his brother David Smith (wife Nancy Smith) of Clinton, ME and his brother Garys' wife Jenn Crimmon of Bradford, VT plus many nieces and nephews whom all love him dearly.
He is preceded in death by his mother Arline Ross, adopted father Roscoe Smith Jr.; sister Barbara Smith Nelson and recently his brother Gary Smith.
Earl was born on May 19th 1947 in Portland, Maine to Arline Morey and adopted by Roscoe Nason Smith Jr. whom he considered his father. Earl began his life on beautiful Peaks Island, ME for his primary schooling, then was able to spend time in many other schools in California, Maine and finishing high school in Connecticut.
Aside from enjoying life with his son Jonathan, and gaining a stepdaughter Mary, Earls life truly began in 1979 when he met the love of his life Joan (Jarvis) Martin. The two fell in love and were married in 1983 when he gained 2 additional stepchildren, Heather and Timothy as well as later adopting with Joan, 2 children from the foster care system, Scott and Jennifer Smith (Hill).
By trade, Earl worked as a machinist throughout his travels. Earl was a hard-working individual who worked locally at New Jersey Machine, Dartmouth Printing and Hypertherm. Earl made many friends and acquaintances through his travels and whom to this day he was fond of and cared about including all of those who helped him to perfect his passions even up until the very end.
Earls' passion for woodworking is cherished by all who still have the wooden memories he crafted by hand for. His enjoyment for riding motorcycles with his wife Joan and his involvement with their motorcycle groups will be held tight in her heart. Earl enjoyed spending time with his family, camping, at the ocean, Disney and in the earlier years, hunting. Many a day was spent on the lawn mower perfecting his lawn as he enjoyed working around the yard immensely. Earl enjoyed volunteering for the local community through the Norwich Wood Bee, providing split wood for those in need.
He will be remembered as a strong-willed man whom we all loved. Where everything was meticulous around him, from his yard to his garage work bench to the way he folded his handkerchief. Earl will be missed by many.
In keeping with Earl's wishes, there will be no funeral services. His request for an eternity into the oceans of Camden, ME where his love of the sea always carried him back to will be honored by his family at a later date. Knight Funeral Home in White River Junction assisted with arrangement.