Stephen Joseph Smith
BRISTOL — Stephen Joseph Smith of Bristol passed away surrounded by loving family and friends on April 8, 2019.
Steve was the fifth of nine children born to George and Doris Smith on Oct. 5, 1957, in Middlebury, Vt. He was raised in Bristol with his brothers and sisters and graduated from Mount Abraham Union High School in 1975. He enlisted in the army after graduation and served for four years, and was stationed in Germany for over a year.
In 1984, Steve joined the Vermont Army National Guard in Vergennes and retired in 2001. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 19 (charter member of stool 7) in Bristol, and a member of Post 19 Color Guard for many years. In 1979, Steve began working at Polymers in Middlebury until they closed in 2001. He then began working at Mount Abe Union High School as a custodian until his retirement due to illness in 2018.
Steve was a hardworking man who took great pride in all that he did, and routine was a comfort to him. He could be a shy, quiet man but had a generous and caring soul, even thinking about the needs of others when making his final arrangements. Interested in all things military, Steve was especially drawn to World Wars I and II. He also had a lifelong fascination in trains that was cultivated by a family history of working with the railroad.
He was an incredibly brave person, and will be greatly missed by both his family and his close friends. Steve’s absence will leave a void that cannot be filled.
Predeceasing Steve are his mother Doris (D’Avignon) Smith and his brother Michael “Mickey” Smith.
Surviving Steve are his father George Smith of Bristol; brother Larry Smith and his wife Sheri of Vergennes; sister Jane Dearborn and her husband Reg of Bristol; sister Nancy Lee and her husband Ev of Bristol; sister Jean Russell and her husband Gary of Bristol; sister Joan Smith of Bristol; sister Terry Michel and her husband Joe of Milton, Wis.; and sister Denise Smith of Bristol. Steve also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He also left behind his special friend April Orvis, and Post 19 members whom he considered family, along with many friends.
Steve’s family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Paul Unger for helping Steve with his battle against cancer for five years, Dr. Jennifer Lisle of UVM Orthopedics, and the team at Addison County Home Health & Hospice.
Calling hours for Steve will be held at Brown McClay Funeral Home in Bristol on Saturday, April 13, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., followed immediately by a service at the same location until noon. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery in Bristol following the service. A reception will be offered by Bristol American Legion from noon until 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Steve’s memory to the American Legion Post 19, Bristol, Vt., or Addison County Home Health and Hospice in Middlebury, Vt.◊