Harold Smith

WESTBROOK — Harold A. Smith passed away Monday, Aug. 29, 2016, just after reaching his 93rd birthday.

Smitty was born in Boston, Mass., the son of Harold P. and Harriet Newcomb Smith, on Aug. 17, 1923, the fourth of eight children. He grew up and attended schools in the Mattapan area of Boston.

In January of 1941, he joined the Navy and served in the South Pacific aboard the USS North Carolina throughout WWII, receiving a Purple Heart for injuries received from a misfiring gun in Turret 1. He re-enlisted during the Korean War, serving aboard the USS Valley Forge.

While the North Carolina was in for repairs in Portland, he met Barbara Mitchell, exchanging letters while overseas and getting married in 1944. They moved to Boston after WWII for a short stay, returning to Portland in 1948. They raised their family in Portland, where Harold worked as a cabinetmaker for McDonald’s Lumber & Windham Millwork. He continued his career in the manufactured housing industry with New England Homes and Coastal Structures, eventually retiring from Roberts Office Supply.

Harold was active in Babe Ruth baseball at the local, state, regional and national levels. He also loved hosting lobster feasts for family and Babe Ruth friends, becoming quite the sight with his chef hat and apron as he steamed lobsters and sipped on his scotch.

Harold was predeceased by his parents; sisters, Florence Durbin, Helen Natale and Dorothy Dunne; brothers, Joseph and Robert; his second wife, Roberta Melendy Smith; and his son, James H. Smith.

He is survived by his brother, Edward of California; his sister, Ruth Peterson of New York; his children, Tom of Casco, Peter of Utah and Betty Caton of Portland; his eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He also is survived by his first wife and friend, Barbara Mitchell Smith; as well as several nieces and nephews.

There will a graveside service on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, at 11 a.m., at Scarborough Memorial Cemetery, Old Blue Point Road, Scarborough. Please visit www.advantageportland.com to sign Smitty’s guestbook and leave memories and condolences for the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Harold’s memory to: Friends of the Battleship North Carolina Generations Campaign Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, P.O. Box 480, Wilmington, NC 28402.