Charles J. Smith

Charles J. “Charlie” Smith, 80, resident of Milford, NH, died June 30, 2012 in Bar Harbor, Maine. He was born in Lee, Maine on August 31, 1931, a son of John W. and Alice E. (Thurlow) Smith. He was raised and educated in Lee and graduated from Lee Academy, Class of 1949 and attended Bartlett Tree School in Stamford, CT. Charlie made his home in Milford for the past 60 years and enjoyed spending time at his summer home in Bar Harbor, Maine. He had been employed by Bartlett Tree Service, Lumbertown Company and Grella Landscaping. In addition, he was the caretaker for a private estate in Lyndeborough, NH for 20 years. In his earlier years, he was very instrumental in the MCAA program and coached Babe Ruth Baseball. He enjoyed all types of sports especially playing softball, horseshoes, bowling, skiing and water skiing. He loved to dance, play cribbage, and complete crossword and jigsaw puzzles. Charlie joined the Milford Fire Department in 1957 and was a member of Engine Company 1. He became Lieutenant of Engine 1 in 1964 and was promoted to Captain in 1977. In 1987 he served as Deputy Chief and later became Assistant Chief in 1993, having retired in 1997. Charlie also served as Vice President of the Firemen’s Relief Association. Family members include his loving wife of 60 years, Alice M. (Ladue) Smith of Milford; a daughter, Gayle Whitmore and friend Robert Lyshom of Hermon, ME; a son, Gregory Smith of Brewer, ME; three grandchildren, Chandra, Rachel and Christopher; three great-grandchildren, Brendan, Isaac and Djouldeanne; a sister, Virginia Farnsworth of Hulls Cove, ME; several nieces and nephews. Visiting hours are Sunday, July 8th from 1:00-5:00 pm in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 10:00 am in The First Congregational Church of Milford, UCC, 10 Union Street, Milford Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Milford. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Good of The Men Fund, c/o Milford Fire Department, 39 School Street, Milford, NH 03055.